'Staggering' new figures reveal DVT risk to young people

New statistics have revealed that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is more likely to affect young adults than many believe.

According to figures obtained by DVT charity Lifeblood, the condition, which is typically associated with older adults, has caused the deaths of 1,075 people under the age of 40 in the past three years.

Furthermore, 60 of these were in teenagers or children.

Lifeblood is now calling for measures to be taken to improve the training of nurses and doctors on how to spot a case of DVT.

Professor Beverley Hunt, Director of Lifeblood and a leading haematologist, said: "The statistics are staggering. The UK's medical community needs to urgently explore why healthy young people are dying in their thousands from this completely preventable illness.

"Much more needs to be done to make sure that front-line medics properly recognise symptoms of deep vein thrombosis."

DVT occurs when a blood cot develops in one of the larger veins of the body, typically in the leg.

It is often associated with long-haul flights as extended periods of sitting down and being inactive can trigger the condition.

Recent research suggests that office workers are also at risk due to the amount of time spent sitting at their desks.

Waist to Height Ratio is a better predictor of heart disease and diabetes risk than body mass index (BMI), according to new research. British scientists analysed a team of 300,000 people, and found that Waist...

Only one in five people in the UK eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day, according to a new poll. The YouGov survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, carried out for the World Cancer Research...

The number of people dying from cancer in their 50’s has fallen to its lowest record level. Figures from Cancer Research UK show a 40 per cent drop in cancer deaths among 50 to 59 year olds. Now, 185 in...

Experts at Oxford University have recommended a 20 per cent fat tax on sugary drinks to help with the UK’s obesity crisis. A recent study published in the Lancet Journal warned that almost half of British men...

A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support has revealed that people are often unprepared for the financial cost of cancer. Research by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that the average cancer patient in Wales...