Traffic can cause deep vein thrombosis – experts

MANILA, Philippines - Yes, traffic can be fatal.

Medical experts yesterday advised commuters stuck in traffic for long hours to do simple leg exercises to avoid blood clot.

Mariano Lopez, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, warned there is a high risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) when a person is caught in traffic for more than two hours.

Lopez said DVT is a blood clot that develops in the veins of the legs and may result in pulmonary embolism. He said non-movement of the legs could cause stasis.

The problem is common among plane passengers and can cause death.  

“When you have long trips, you can exercise your legs by just flexing or extending them,” he said.

Lopez said commuters should avoid smoking and maintain a health lifestyle to prevent stress during heavy traffic.

Jenny Beltran, president of the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine, said commuters should drink enough water during traffic jams to hydrate.

“If we are not moving for a long period of time, blood becomes hyper-coagulable or thick,” Beltran said.

She advised commuters to wear graduated compression stockings, which help in blood circulation.

Medical experts said traffic can be fatal as it can cause vascular, chronic and respiratory diseases as well as emotional disturbance.

Orlando Bugarin, advocacy committee chairman of the Philippine Health Association (PHA), said traffic can cause emotional distress to commuters, drivers and traffic enforcers.

“When we are caught in traffic, we usually get mad, resulting in hormonal imbalance that affects a person’s heart rate and blood pressure,” Bugarin said.

“Pulmonary thrombosis may cause sudden death,” he added.