How to Prevent Blood Clots and Avoid Sudden Death

One of the greatest risks of sudden death for people over the age of 50 is the formation of abnormal blood clots in veins and arteries.  These dangerous clots, called thrombosis, can lead to fatal heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

Understanding Blood Clots

Blood clotting is a natural process of healing in healthy individuals and prevents excessive loss of blood after an injury where a blood vessel is ruptured.  An unnatural blood clot forms when blood clumps together withing the veins and arteries and restricts blood flow to vital organs.  A clot that forms in the heart or vascular system and remains stationary is referred to as a thrombus.  A blot clot that has broken free and is circulated throughout the body is known as an embolus.

Blood clots are made of white and red blood cells, platelets, and fibrin.  When these components accumulate in an abnormal manner under specific conditions, they clump together and they either adhere to the wall of a blood vessel or float freely through the circulatory system.

Risk Factors

Among the most common, and most treatable, risk factors that are associated with developing thrombosis include chronically elevated blood glucose levels, hypertension, a poor blood lipid profile and excessive amounts of abdominal fat.  These conditions can generally be controlled through the application of sound nutritional principles and regular cardiovascular exercise and resistance training.

Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase a persons odds of developing dangerous blood clots. Remaining stationary in a fixed position for long periods of time allows blood to pool in the lower extremities and provides optimal conditions for the formation of fatal blood clots.

Surgical procedures, particularly involving the ankles and knees, often carry the risk of blood clots formation.  Lack of blood circulation and trauma to soft tissue during invasive surgery can elevate the chances of developing thrombosis.

Blood Clot Prevention
 
Along with regular performance of physical activity and stress management techniques, dietary considerations need to be explored.  It has been shown that certain foods can drastically reduce the risk of developing dangerous blood clots by limiting the clotting mechanism that allows the clumping of compounds in the blood.  Below is a list of some of the most beneficial foods to prevent blood clots:

• Tomatoes
• Grape Seed Extract
• Garlic
• Olives
• Pomegranates
• Fish Oil
• Vitamin C

Exercising regularly and consuming foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals will not only reduce the rick of developing blood clots, but can improve health generally and potentially increase longevity.

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 Reference:
Life Extension Foundation - Blood Clot Prevention http://www.lef.org/protocols/heart_circulatory/blood_clot_01.htm Date accessed: 13 October 2013