Stories
Prolonged Sitting Linked to Higher Blood Clot Risks in Youth, Experts Warn
- •Vascular specialists warn that prolonged sitting during gaming, binge-watching, or online classes increases the risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis among young people.
- •A 2024 meta-analysis revealed that high levels of sedentary behaviour are linked to a 24 percent higher risk of venous thromboembolism, with a 2 percent increase per additional sedentary hour.
- •Experts emphasize that uninterrupted sitting slows blood flow as calf muscles fail to pump venous blood, especially when combined with factors like obesity, smoking, and dehydration.
- •Doctors at the VSI-ASVS 2026 conference urge young people to integrate regular movement breaks into their digital routines to combat the risks of prolonged immobility.
Key Questions Answered
Extended periods of uninterrupted sitting slow down blood flow from the legs because the calf muscles fail to act as a pump. This stagnation can contribute to deep vein thrombosis, a condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins and can become life-threatening if it travels to the lungs.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that individuals with the highest levels of sedentary behavior face about a 24 percent higher risk of venous thromboembolism compared to those with the lowest exposure. The research also indicated a 2 percent increase in risk for every additional hour of sedentary behavior per day.
Experts caution that prolonged sitting usually serves as an additional risk factor rather than the sole cause of thrombosis. It becomes particularly concerning when combined with elements such as obesity, dehydration, smoking, hormonal factors, inherited clotting disorders, or a previous history of thrombosis.
