LEG AND LUNG

ONE leading cause of preventa-ble death that people rarely talk about — veinous thromboembo-lism (VIE) — a condition in which blood cloths form within a vein. These cloths can break off and block the blood supply to the heart or lung. In the brain, it can be the cause of a fatal or disa-bling stroke. About half a million people in Europe die as a direct or indirect result of blood clots events every year — more than breast cancer, Aids and traffic accidents combined. Although blood clots can form

anywhere in the body, they are most common in the legs (deep vein thromboses which can lead to blocks in the blood supply to heart or lungs) and in the lungs (pulmonary embolism when a blood vessel in your lungs gets blocked causing chest pain and coughing up blood).

Both are medical emergencies that require immediate hospital treatment. You’re more at risk of spontaneous clots if you have a family history — but several lifestyle factors are also key.

These include smoking, being overweight and periods of prolonged immobility such as long car or plane journeys. The last two patients I saw with pulmonary embolism had both driven nine hours to Cornwall in heavy traffic.

Being active and moving regularly are therefore important ways you can cut your risk.

WHAT TO DO: Regular aerobic exercise, including brisk walking every day. Jogging, cycling, dance classes or interval training are all good ways to lower the risk of blood clots.