How to Not Die from a Blood Clot After Spending Too Much Time at Your Computer or Xbox

With so many people spending so much time on their computers nowadays, either working or playing games, it's getting less rare to hear of someone dying from a blood clot after sitting in the same position for hours on end. Such was the case this week of 20-year-old Chris Staniforth, who died after spending more than 12 hours playing on his Xbox. Staniforth had no history of health problems, expect for complaining about a low heart rate a few hours before he collapsed.

Unfortunately, dying from a blood clot can happen to anyone who sits in the same position for hours on end. Your body needs to have healthy blood flow and, when you spend hours, and sometimes days, without any exercise and little movement, it negatively affects that. If you are one of those people whose day is spent in front of the computer, Xbox or other entertainment consule, follow these few tips, so collapsing and dying of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) doesn't happen to you too.

Exercise Before You Start - I'm a writer, so most of my day is spent in front of my computer. That's why, right after I've had my first cup of coffee in the morning, I get on my exercise bike and pedal away for at least 30 minutes.That gets my metabolism raised and my blood flowing nicely. It also gives me energy before I get down to the day's writing.

Getting some form of exercise before you start work on your computer or playing games on your Xbox will help ensure you have fewer health problems related to sitting still. Even if it's just 15 minutes walking around the block, get your body moving before you plonk yourself down in front of your computer for the day.

Take a Break Every Hour - Have a clock close to where you're playing games or working, so that every hour you can get up and take a break. Some days, when I'm really involved in my work, I even set an alarm for an hour. It goes off, I get up, do a few stretches, go to the bathroom, walk around for five minutes, then get back to work.

Even movement of just a couple of minutes can prevent your body from developing a blood clot.

Move Around While Working - Don't just sit like a big lump in the same position for five hours. Move around. Change positions on your chair, put your feet up on the desk, fidget. Even small amounts of movement or changing the position of your body can help you not develop a blood clot.

Drink Plenty of Fluids - Continuing to drink water, juices or herbal teas -- anything that doesn't dehydrate you -- will help prevent you from getting a blood clot. Dehydration causes your blood to thicken and your blood flow to slow which can lead to a pulmonary embolism.

Nobody is saying you shouldn't spend hours at your computer, particularly if it's your job and you have no choice. Just use some common sense when it comes to how long you do sit there. Taking a break, moving around, exercising and drinking fluids can help you maintain your good health while still getting your work (or play!) done.

More Information:

Sitting Too Long Can Cause Rogue Blood Clots - HealthierTalk.com

Xbox Addict, 20, Killed by Blood Clot After 12-Hour Gaming Session - Daily Mail