2023-08-18 16:06:13
Cardiologists point out that long-distance car rides of several hours should take breaks at regular intervals. (Pixabay)
Text/Chen Juncun
Some experts say that when driving or riding a long distance, you should take a break every once in a while and get out of the car for a walk. If this habit is not developed, it may cause some fatal problems due to prolonged sitting.
According to the “Huffington Post” report, cardiologists pointed out that the most important thing to do in a long-distance car ride is to rest, and to rest multiple times, because sitting in a car for several hours will block the blood circulation in the body, resulting in Dehydration and thrombosis, which is the formation of blood clots in blood vessels. If left untreated, these blood clots can spread quickly and even kill you!
Vladimir Lakhter, an assistant professor of medicine at Temple University and a cardiologist at the university’s hospital, said: “Sitting in a car for long periods of time increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a condition that develops in the legs. Thrombosis in deep veins.”
Under normal circumstances, when you’re moving around, the muscles in your thighs and thighs push blood from the deep veins to the heart, explains Britt H. Tonnessen, an assistant professor of surgery at the Yale School of Medicine.
But following sitting in the car for hours, your lower body hasn’t moved for too long, and blood starts pooling in the veins of your lower legs. Your muscles can’t contract or get blood circulating like normal.
As blood pools in the veins of your calf, platelets (tiny cells that form clots to stop bleeding) begin to stick together, forming a soft, jelly-like mass. Through a cascade of physiological programs, this clot increases, much like a domino effect.
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in places such as the legs, Lackett said. This blood clot can cause pain and swelling in the leg. When you stop and get out of the car and walk around, the leg muscles contract once more, allowing the clot to break free and flow upward in the direction of the blood’s natural flow.
A deep vein thrombosis can travel to the main arteries of the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism or sudden blockage of the arteries responsible for carrying blood to the lungs, causing sudden death, Tennesson said. The main symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include: shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, cough, and back pain.
She emphasized that deep vein thrombosis can happen to everyone, regardless of age or health status. Therefore, it is very important to take proper rest during a long journey and pay attention to whether there are symptoms of blood clots.
She also said that some people are at higher risk, such as the elderly, those with a history of blood clots in themselves or their family members, and patients receiving cancer treatment, etc., so special attention should be paid.
As for how long should you take a break in the car? Tennesson recommends walking around every hour or so. This allows the leg muscles to contract and improve blood circulation, says Lackett.
Tennesson also recommends that people wear compression stockings, which can reduce the risk of blood clots. Lackett urged people to wear loose clothing because bodysuits can block blood flow through the body.
Also, stay hydrated during long journeys, as dehydration is one of the risk factors for blood clots. And staying hydrated also means limiting dehydration-triggering beverages, such as alcohol and coffee.
It is worth noting that the risk of deep vein embolism and pulmonary embolism remains following the long-distance journey, which may persist for up to several weeks. ◇
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