How To Stay Healthy When Working In An Office Environment When You're Prone To Blood Clots

If you have a blood clotting disorder that makes you more likely to develop blood clots in your legs and feet, then your doctor has probably advised you not to sit still for too long. When you're immobile, blood is more likely to pool in your legs and clot. But what if you work in an office where the majority of your day is spent sitting? Do you have to quit your job or risk dying of a blood clot? Probably not. There are ways to make office life healthier for patients prone to blood clots.

Wear Compression Socks

You've probably heard of compression socks. They're tight socks that get gradually tighter towards your toes, and they are designed to help keep blood from pooling in your feet and legs -- which makes blood clots less likely. Did you know that some companies sell dress compression socks? These look just like ordinary dress socks, so you can wear them to your office job without your coworkers commenting on your odd footwear. There are styles for both men and women. Find a few pairs you like, and make them a part of your daily attire.

Consider a Standing Desk

Surely, standing in one place all day is not great for you either, but at least when you stand, you can shift your weight back and forth from one foot to the other and walk around a tiny bit to keep the blood flowing. Ask your office manager if it would be okay for you to order a standing desk. Even if you cannot use it all day, at least having it on hand will allow you to use it in place of a seated desk when convenient. There are even desk styles that raise up and lower down on hinges, so you can change them from standing to sitting based on your needs.

Move Your Feet When Possible

Of course you should get up and walk as often as possible, but when you do need to sit at your desk, try to at least move and flex your feet whenever you can. Even this small amount of motion can help keep the blood moving through your veins so you don't get clots. You can make a game out of it. Flex and relax your feet to the beat of music playing in your headphones, or try to move your feet 10 times every minute. Make sure you wear comfortable, loose shoes to make this motion easy.

Talk To Your Manager About Your Condition

Assuming you have a decent relationship with your office manager, you should be able to have an honest conversation with them about your health challenges and needs. They may ask for a doctor's note if you need to request special accommodations, like a standing desk, or they may just "take your word for it" and allow you the flexibility you need to manage your health while at work. It's best to have this conversation up front so that if they see you standing up in the middle of the day or sitting around with your shoes off -- they know why.

Get Regular Checkups

Since you will still be working in an office environment, which is not exactly the best thing for someone with blood clotting issues, make sure you see your doctor for extra checkups. This way, a clot will be detected early when your doctor can more easily do something about it, rather than remaining undetected until it dislodges and ends up in your heart or lungs. Your doctor may even be able to give you more tips to help make office work better for your health.