A blood clot is your body's ways of preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Clots generally dissolve naturally once a wound has healed. Clots that do not dissolve as they should can be potentially dangerous and require treatment. Blood clots may dissolve more quickly in people who exercise regularly while prolonged inactivity can increase your risk of blood clots, according to the American Society of Hematology.
Considerations
The ability of athletic types to dissolve clots more quickly may help protect them from heart attacks caused by physical exertion. No clear evidence exists to support the notion that physically active individuals are at a lower risk of developing blood clots in the first place, explains the National Blood Clot Alliance. Although blood clots tend to disappear more speedily in physically active people, exercise can actually increase the risk of clots in typically sedentary people, reports the American College of Sports Medicine.
Types
Blood clots can develop in the arteries or veins, both critical to the circulatory system. Pain and swelling can occur as blood builds-up behind the clot. when a clot forms in a vein as it may limit the flow of blood to the heart. Clots that appear in the arteries are typically associated with hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.
Benefits
Engaging in regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, running, bicycling or swimming can lower your risk for coronary heart disease and the subsequent buildup of arterial plaque and increased potential for blood clots. Vigorous physical exertion can trigger a heart attack in someone with silent atherosclerosis, cautions the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Check with your doctor about what exercise regime is best for you.
Expert Insight
Participating in sports at least weekly can significantly lower the risk of blood clots, according to a study published in November 2007 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. A study involving 7,860 people aged 18 to 70 found regularly engaging in sports cut the overall risk of clots by 22 percent in men and 39 percent in women. Lead researcher was K.J. van Straen of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
References
- American Society of Hematology: Blood Clots
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute;:Benefits of Physicial Activity
- Science Daily; Regular Exercise Reduces Risk Of Blood Clots, Study Suggests; November 2007
- Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis; Venous Thrombosis; K.J. van Stralen; November 2007
- American College of Sports Medicine:Blood Clots During Exercise
- National Blood Clot Alliance; Stop the Clot Now;Stephan Moll, et al.
