(HealthDayNews) -- When the legs are confined to one position for any length of time, whether due to work, travel or illness, your risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) increases. It's a condition caused by a blood clot developing in the leg veins.
The Johns Hopkins Health After 50 newsletter suggests these measures for decreasing your risk of DVT:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes achieving a healthy weight, not smoking, and exercising regularly.
- Whenever your movement is restricted, try to flex your ankles and move your legs frequently.
- When you sit or lie down, elevate your legs using a stool and pillows.
- Wear clothing that doesn't constrict blood flow.
