FYI: Deep Vein Thrombosis Can Kill You - Know The Risks, Signs, And Prevention Tips

In short, deep vein thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in your body, usually in your legs. If that clot breaks free, it could travel through your body into your brain, your heart, or your lungs, creating a blockage in your arteries (embolism). This could, literally, cause you to die.

Truck drivers are especially at risk due to the long periods of time sitting, as well as the general prevalence for obesity or being overweight.

Typical DVT Risk Factors For Truck Drivers:

• Obesity/overweight.
• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Family history of DVT or embolisms.
• Previous injury or surgery.
• Age.
• Smoking.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Risk Factors

Symptoms:

• Swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs;
• Warm, red, or discolored skin;
• Tired legs
• Veins you can see

Don't ignore the warning signs. Get checked out ASAP, and get treatment immediately if you experience any sharp chest pains, sudden coughing, extreme lightheadedness, or shortness of breath/rapid breathing.

Prevention & Treatment:

Every few hours, stop and get out, and walk around. Or do some sort of leg exercises. Whatever it takes to get the blood flowing. Behind the wheel, practice flexing your ankles up and down, and contracting (flexing) your calf muscles. Additionally, compression stockings, though not clinically studied in drivers, have been shown to reduce instances of blood clots in frequent, long-distance, fliers.

Symptoms and Tests for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Should drivers be worried about blood clots?

Prevent Leg Pain With These Stretches for Truck Drivers