Tall, obese men have much higher risk of blood clots in deep veins

Tall, obese people have a significantly higher risk of developing blood clots in veins deeply in the body, this applies in particular to men, Norwegian researchers found in the journal arteriosclerosis, thrombosis and vascular biology.

The authors explain that overweight people are known, have a higher risk of developing blood clots in deep veins, especially in the lower limbs, and blood clots in blood vessels of the lungs (pulmonary embolism) - burden on the heart and cause sudden death can. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to both of the following conditions.

Sigrid k. Braekkan, PhD., from the haematological research group at the University of Tromsø, Norway and team compared high overweight men short-normal weight men (BMI 25, 5 ft 7.7 inches large) and large, obese women to short normal weight women (up to 5 ft 2.6 inches large). Was the risk of VTE (age adjusted): 2.57 times HigherIn normal weight tall women (over 5 ft 6 inch) - no increased riskIn obese, short obese, highly men - 5.28 time HigherIn obese, women high - 2.77 times HigherIn normal weight, big men - men - 2.11 times HigherIn obese, short women - 1.83 times HigherThey found that the risk of developing VTE under high, overweight men the risk similar, was in the pregnancy, is available using oral contraceptives, or with a gene for an inherited predisposition to blood coagulation (factor V Leiden).

Braekkan said:

"We believe that we the increased risk in young and normal weight observed men but not women, because most women not sufficiently big." "The danger may exist in very tall women, but it was to examine a few correctly."

The authors believe further study is needed to find out is what in the game in high, overweight people to the VTE risk mechanisms.

Braekkan said:

"The blood must cause longer route by which, calf muscles can be pumped pump, high human reduced flow in the legs and thereby increase the risk of blood clotting."

Understanding and preventing VTE is important, because also the first occurrence can be fatal. "Obesity, in combination with other VTE risk factors known to be significantly increase the risk, that is why we wanted the combined effects of high stature and obesity."

The investigators collected data from the study of Tromsø. Tromsø is a Norwegian town in the periodic health surveys of adults aged 25 to 97 years are carried out. The height and weight of 26,714 males and females were collected and for an average 12.5 years, were followed up to the year 2007. A total 461 VTEs has occurred.

Obese people have high pressure in the stomach, this can undermine the calf muscle pump ability to return the blood from the lower limbs.

Braekkan said:

"Obesity is connected to a State of constant low-grade inflammation and inflammation can be more prone to blood clotting blood."

When assessing their overall risk patients for dangerous clot, doctors take into account their height and weight which authors wrote.

Braekkan said:

"Because height is not easy to change, is the most important, slim, especially if you remain high."

According to the American Heart Association, more than 275,000 people in the United States are annually with deep blood clot or pulmonary embolism in the hospital admitted.

"Common effects of obesity and body size on the risk of venous thromboembolism - the Tromsø study"
Knut H. Borch; Cecilie Nyegaard; John Bjarne Hansen; Ellisiv B. Mathiesen; Inger Njølstad; Tom Wilsgaard; Sigrid k. Brækkan
Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis and vascular biology. 2011. DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.110.218925

Written by Christian Nordqvist
source:medicalnewstoday