Of all the things that can go wrong with your health, blood clots are probably not top of mind for the average person.

But the risk is higher for most of us than we realize, and if just one sneaks past, the results can be swift and deadly.

Here’s a quick overview, and information on a new therapy you’ll want to know about, especially if your lifestyle, genetics or other factors make you among those who are vulnerable to blood clots…

The danger of blood clots

Blood clots help control bleeding, whether you’re bleeding from a paper cut, a serious injury or even after surgery. But they are not always the protective mechanism we need.

Blood clots are life-threatening if they block blood flow, especially to the brain, heart or lungs.

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in veins deep within your body, usually in your legs, but can travel almost anywhere in your body.

Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot develops in or travels to the lungs.

Blood clots can also block blood flow to the brain, resulting in stroke, or to the heart and cause a heart attack.

Many factors can lead to excessive blood clotting, which causes blood flow to vital organs to be blocked or limited, including atherosclerosis, or thickening of the arteries.

The many risk factors for blood clots

The scary thing is that there are so many factors that can make you more vulnerable to a blood clot.

Lifestyle factors that increase your risk include being overweight, smoking, dehydration and sitting too much.

There are also genetic risk factors, like having a family history of clotting, or a personal history of repeated blood clots before age 40.

Finally, other diseases and conditions that can increase blood clot risk include atrial fibrillation, diabetes, heart failure and metabolic syndrome.

Red light’s impact on stroke risk

Recent research from the University of Pittsburgh opens the door to a non-invasive method for lowering blood clot risk.

In this study, lead author Dr. Elizabeth Andraska and her team explored the role of different kinds of light on blood clotting.

They exposed mice to red light for 12 hours a day over a three-day period and found that these mice developed nearly five times fewer clots than mice exposed to either blue or white light. This occurred independently of other factors like activity, sleep, and eating.

They then extended this research to humans, analyzing more than 10,000 cataract surgery patients who received either blue light-filtering lenses or conventional lenses. (A blue light filter allows more red light to come through).

Among them were cancer patients — a population with nine times the risk of blood clots. The cancer patients who received blue light-filtering lenses had a lower risk of blood clots compared to their counterparts with conventional lenses. 

Red light was associated with less inflammation and platelet activation, both well-known key drivers of blood clot formation.

The mice that were exposed to red light also showed increased fatty acid production, a factor that naturally reduces platelet activation and, consequently, clot formation.

How to avoid blood clots

The effect of different kinds of light on human health has intrigued scientists for years. You may have read how red light therapy could help improve vision and treat skin conditions. Or how blue light may damage sight and accelerate aging.

“These results are unraveling a fascinating mystery about how the light to which we’re exposed on a daily basis influences our body’s response to injury,” says senior author Dr. Matthew Neal.

“We’re designing red light goggles to control the amount of light exposure in preparation for clinical trials,” said Dr. Neal. “Getting to the bottom of our discovery has the potential to massively reduce the number of deaths and disabilities caused by blood clots worldwide.”

But there’s no need to wait before taking steps to lower your blood clot risk. First, be aware of symptoms of a blood clot and take notice of how to reduce your risks including:

• Moving is considered one of the most important ways to avoid a DVT. Incorporate movement, including walking, that works for you into your day, throughout the day.
• Maintaining a healthy weight,
• Don’t sit for long periods. Get up at least every half hour and move around. And wriggle your feet or legs when sitting.
• Elevating your feet, especially during sleep.
• Don’t smoke.
• Add olive oil to your plate. Researchers at the NYU School of Medicine used food frequency surveys to determine how often 63 participants ate olive oil and compared it to their platelet activation. They found that those who ate olive oil at least once a week had much lower platelet activation than participants who ate the oil less often.

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Sources:

Red light associated with lowered risk of blood clots — Integrative Practitioner

Red Light Therapy May Reduce Deadly Blood Clots — Neuroscience News

Alterations in visible light exposure modulate platelet function and regulate thrombus formation — Journal of Thrombosis and Homeostasi

Blood clots — Cleveland Clinic