Height And Weight Are Factors In Potentially Fatal Disease
Tall men could be at greater risk of fatal blood clots, particularly if they're overweight. A recent study looked into deep-vein thrombosis -- a painful blood clot in the legs -- occurring simultaneously with a similar clot in the lungs. This co-occurrence, called venous thromboembolism, is the third leading cardiovascular ailment in the U.S.
Men six feet and taller are nearly three times more likely to suffer this condition, the study found, than men under five-feet-eight, and obesity doubles a man's risk regardless of height. No similar differences were found in women.
Other known risk factors for deep-vein thrombosis include smoking, recent surgery, sitting for long periods when traveling, and carrying the gene for an inherited clotting disorder called Factor V Leiden. Not all of these factors are within an individual's control, but watching your weight, not smoking, eating a healthy diet and working out are all behaviors that can lessen risks for cardiovascular disease.