Geeks imperiled by e-thrombosis

E-economy class syndrome

By Chris Williams • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Director, 9th May 2006 15:11 GMT

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A programmer has warned how a marathon 12 hour sit gave him a blood clot that could have killed him. Chris Simmons, 42, was rushed to Bristol Royal Infirmary after a thrombosis travelled to to his lung.

The BBC reports him saying: "I was sat at my desk and suddenly I was hit with the most excruciating pain in my lower back, I collapsed at the desk with my head on the keyboard, the pain was just so severe."

Thrombosis charity Lifeblood's medical director Beverly Hunt told The Guardian: "Immobility is a key factor in causing thrombosis." Apparently, the term e-thrombosis was coined after a 32-year-old man in New Zealand inexplicably suffered a pulmonary embolism sitting at his desk.

The prevention drill is the same as for so-called economy class syndrome, so prepare for the stomach-churning sight of techies marching up and down your office in support stockings. ®

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