Can you die of e-thrombosis sitting at your desk?

A 41 year old computer programmer in Bristol is reported to have collapsed after spending twelve hours at his computer and narrowly escaped death. The doctor discovered a pulmonary embolism had occurred and a blood clot had travelled from his leg to his lung and restricted breathing.
It came as a great shock because the victim reported no previous health concerns of significance. He has become the first reported case of “e-thrombosis” in the UK, but it is worth noting “if you are very immobile for long periods of time, you will increase your risk of a blood clot,” says Beverley Hunt, the medical director of the thrombosis charity, Lifeblood.

Obesity and a sedentary working environment can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), so it is advisable to avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time at work. Try to stretch or walk around frequently even if you are very busy at work, it might seem like you are causing difficulty to the employer but in the long-term you are probably doing a great deal of good for your health.

This risk of DVT at work has not been previously researched in any depth, yet for years the Health and Safety Executive has been giving similar advice. Regular screen breaks are recommended to prevent eye strain or RSI, for example. It is unsurprising news however, that staying sat still at work is a major contributor, as developing DVT after long-haul flights has been well documented and the risk of developing VTE after a flight of more than four hours is one in 10,000.

The dangers are obviously there, but Hum Robinson at the TUC reminds us not to over exaggerate, as he points out - “Office workers are at far greater risk of mental health problems through stress at work.”