New research has found workers who sit down for large periods of time are at more risk of developing deep vein thrombosis than passengers on long haul flights.
The Wellington-based Medical Research Institute study looked at 60 patients aged under 65. It says that sitting immobile at a desk for hours on end is a serious risk factor for so-called "economy class syndrome". Researchers found the worst affected by the blood clots are managers, taxi drivers and IT workers.
One in three people attending an outpatient clinic reported sitting for eight hours or longer before suffering a clot, while only one in five had travelled on a long-haul flight. Blood clots develop in the legs and can be fatal if they break off and travel to the heart, lungs or brain.
Institute director Richard Beasley says the warning signs for deep vein thrombosis are not very specific.
"One of the most common and important causes for a person getting a blood clot was prolonged seated immobility at work," says Beasley
He says workers who sit down all day need to keep their blood flowing by getting up and about whenever they can.
The study will be presented to a conference of medical specialists later this month.
Beasley is about to commence another study with ACC looking at the work environment and how it can be improved.
