Nedokážu se zbavit jednoho obludného zlozvyku – čtení zpráv na webech jako je Seznamzprávy, Novinky nebo Aktuálně. Dnes jsem za to byla opět potrestána, když jsem si přečetla informaci o slovenském smutku nad skonem bývalého hráče basketballu (+32). Ne že bych si nemyslela, že ten borec umřel zbytečně brzo. Ale zase mne naštvalo, že to žurnalisté z Idnes, jak jinak, dali jen a výhradně do souvislosti s covid. Zpráva přitom působí jasně: „Podívejte se, mladý, zdravý, 100% sportovec, ale neočkoval se, a tak skapal na covid.“
Již víme, že velmi častou komplikací covidu i očkování jsou trombózy (a mj. následná plicní embolie). Předpokládám tedy, i když ano, nejsem lékař, že to byla příčina smrti. Zajímavá je jedna věc. Pán byl, jako každý basketbalista, extrémně vysoký – 209 cm. Jak se mají (hluboké) krevní sraženiny k výšce jedince?
Vím, že pán byl exbasketbalista, takže to pro jeho případ možná není relevantní (nevím, jak sportoval teď), ale je zajímavé, že sportovci jsou náchylnější na trombózy. Hluboké žilní trombózy se nevyhýbají ani hráčům NBA (jedna historka za všechny, najdete toho mnohem víc).
Dokonce je to popsaný fenomén v řadě vědeckých rozhovorů a článků. Fakt by pisálky zabilo, kdyby si něco ke své práci načetli?
Risk Factors for Blood Clots in Athletes
- Obesity is a risk factor for these abnormal clots. Most pro athletes aren’t obese, but research suggests that larger people, like those who are taller or have bigger legs, are at risk. This is because the ability of blood to flow up the legs is more problematic for bigger people. So for some athletes, especially basketball players who tend to be very tall, risk might be higher. It’s interesting that we don’t hear many reports of NFL players with clots, as they are more likely to have obesity. It may be that it is just less often reported; no research is available.
- Athletes who use their arms heavily, like tennis players, baseball pitchers and basketball players, are at risk of clots involving the arm veins. These clots can occur when a structure at the base of the neck next to the shoulder called the thoracic outlet is narrowed. The vein, artery and nerve supplying the arm has to pass through this outlet, which is lined by muscles and bony structures. For athletes, especially those using their arms, the muscles can get large and contribute to the narrowing of the outlet. In this situation, repetitive injury to the vein going through that narrowed outlet sets the stage for a clot forming in the vein. These clots can cause swelling and pain of the arm, and sometimes numbness. Like leg clots, they can travel to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism. Treatment is with anticoagulant medications and often surgery is used to open up the outlet so that clots might not form again.
- Injuries are a major source of risk for clots, especially leg injuries that result in leg immobility afterwards. The worst example of this is a leg fracture with casting. However, minor injuries also can increase the risk somewhat; this is likely a factor for hockey players as they often get hit by the puck.
- Surgery greatly increases the risk of blood clots for a period of several weeks. The risk is greater for orthopedic than general surgery, so it is a factor for athletes. In 2013, NBA Star Anderson Varejao’s great season with the Cavaliers was cut short when he developed back and chest pain from a PE shortly after surgery on his quadriceps. His case proved that this condition doesn’t have to end a sports career; Varejao apparently had a finite treatment with anticoagulation and is currently playing for Golden State in the NBA playoffs.
- Like anyone else, genetics plays a role for athletes. Kimmo Timonen, four-time NHL All Star with the Philadelphia Flyers developed a leg DVT and PE in 2014. He had had less serious superficial clots (in veins just under the skin) previously, which we know is a risk factor for DVT and PE. He was found to have protein C deficiency – a genetic condition that contributes to blood clot risk by lowering the body’s ability to stop formation of clots.
- Travel: We know that long travel slightly increases the risk of clots, and pro athletes travel a lot.
- Birth control pills increase the risk of clots in women. This risk is highest in the first year of use and in women who are older when using them: risk continues until the pills are stopped.
Takže ano, pán mohl skutečně zemřít na komplikace spojené s covidem, ale slušelo by se uvést i další informace než jen bohapusté a trapné strašení a polopravdy či pololži.