How often should you walk to prevent blood clots?

Are you tired of hearing about the benefits of walking? “Oh, it lowers your risk of heart disease,” they say. “It helps with weight loss,” they preach. But did you know that walking can also help prevent blood clots? That’s right, folks! Strap on your sneakers and let’s dive into how often you should be taking a stroll to keep those pesky clots at bay.

What are Blood Clots?

Before we get started, let’s talk about what we’re trying to prevent here. A blood clot is basically a clump of blood that has turned into a semi-solid mass. They’re not always dangerous, but if one forms in an artery or vein (deep vein thrombosis), it can be serious business. If left untreated, these clots can travel through the bloodstream and block vital organs like the lungs or brain.

Fun fact: Some people are more prone to developing blood clots due to genetic factors or other health conditions.

Why Walking Helps

Now for the fun part – why does walking help with preventing blood clots? When you walk, your leg muscles contract and relax which squeezes veins in your legs and forces blood back up towards the heart. This process helps prevent stagnant pools of blood from forming in those deep veins where clots tend to develop.

Pro Tip: If you sit for long periods (like during long flights), take breaks every hour or so to stretch your legs and move around a bit!

So How Often Should You Walk?

The short answer: it depends! The longer answer: there are many factors that come into play when determining how often someone should walk for preventative measures against blood clots such as age, activity level prior medical history etc.. As is usually advised by healthcare professionals,moderate exercise — including brisk walks — at least 5 days per week (for 30 minutes each time) is a good starting point for most people. So, basically taking THE SWEET SPOT between doing too little and doing too much can help!

Pro tip: If you’re new to exercise or have medical issues, please consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise plan!

More Specific Tips From the Pros

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should walk. According to Harvard Health, while brisk walking five days a week is enough for most individuals,research backs up that walking even an extra two hours per week was associated with lower risk of developing blood clots in women over 50 years old.

Here are some other tips on what may also work well:

Balance Walking With Stand Up Exercises

Standing exercises once every hour during long periods of sitting can boost circulation in the legs.

Other activities like stretching or knee bends will engage muscles which increase blood flow and might prevent formation of blood clots

Other Activities That Can Help Prevent Blood Clots

Of course, there are other methods asides from moderate exercising that has proven successful in reducing the instances of the potential fatal condition – deep vein thrombosis. Since remaining sedentary increases ones chance it forming here sre more tips:

  • Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration promotes healthy circulation and helps keep your blood at an appropriate thickness.
  • Wear Compression Stockings: These devices gently squeeze your leg muscles throughout the day and encourage proper circulation
  • Fidgeting: Movement such as tapping toes fluttering knees calves muscle contraction could be pretty helpful if they’re sustained over long periods.

Conclusion

Walking shouldn’t be regarded just simply as ‘another form’ of cardiovascular activity but also another method that contributes significantly towards prevention DVT /blood clots from occurring which undoubtedly can save lives , Yay!. It’s important to remember that any physical activity counts – even if it’s just a stroll around your neighborhood. Take the time to move your body and you may be surprised at how good it makes you feel!

Last Fun Fact: A 30-45 minute walking routine daily can help restore blood flow to ex-smokers as their veins become healthier overtime with light exercises.

Stay moving, friends!

Reference:

Harvard Health Publishing (2018). How much exercise is optimal for heart health? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/how-much-exercise-is-optimal-for-heart-health

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