DVT Death To Highlight Danger Of Extended Gaming Sessions

TSA Staff 34 Comments

David Staniforth, whose son Chris died in May from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), says the condition may have been triggered by long gaming sessions.

This isn’t as out there as you might think – DVT can manifest itself if the person sits in one place for extended periods of time, especially if the person isn’t moving regularly, but is normally (wrongly) thought to only apply to long haul flights.

Mr Staniforth is campaigning for more coverage on the issue after a clot formed in his son’s leg, which moved to his lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.

“After my research,” said the father, “I saw there was no difference to Chris sitting at a desk on his Xbox and someone on a long-haul flight.  Sitting still is literally the danger zone. Chris loved to play and would stay up all night.”

“Millions of people worldwide are playing these games for hours,” he stated, “and there is a risk.”

Chris was an avid Xbox gamer.  Microsoft have quickly moved to state that they recommend gamers take “periodic breaks to exercise as well as make time for other pursuits.”

We all enjoy games, but be sensible and take regular breaks.

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34 Comments

  1. Makes sense really that this could happen, I know some games tell you to take 15 minute breaks every hour in the manual but there’s no way I do that when I’m playing games.

    I do try to not sit still for too long though, looks like it’s for the best.

  2. Totally makes sense.

  3. Just wear tights or stockings to help keep the blood flowing. It’s what I do :P

  4. It’s very rare that I get an uninterupted gaming session. Usually my Mrs wants to watch Eastenders or somthing 10 minutes into my gaming marathon. However I do think there is a valid point here.

    Question – Should games pause to remind you to take a break after you’ve been playing for a long time? Would you if they did?

    • I’m sure Wii Sports tells you to take a break, it can’t be the only one. I think we live in enough of a Nanny State TBH this is Darwinism plain and simple

      • Ironic that wii sports tells you to take a break when you should be up and moving about whilst playing it.

    • A great idea. Games need to pause every couple of hours and force you to take a break, maybe. At least warn you in-game that you haven’t taken a break as it’ll snap you out of your gaming trance and cause you to stretch, stand up, grab a drink, etc.

      This isn’t actually aimed at you but all of us. :-)

    • I don’t think anything would spoil my emersion in a game more than a message popping up on screen saying “you look tired, take a break buddy ol pal!” ;)

      • @ R4U Eldaveo
        I don’t doubt it would totally spoil the fun if it flashed up halfway through a killing spree in Dead Space 2, but what about a subtle message during a loading screen or between levels?

        Maybe a topic for the forums…….

      • Yeah, load points would be an ideal time :)
        I would imagine in a game like DS2 if suddenly a message popped up while I was cautiously edging my way through a corridor it would make me jump lol.

      • I’m pretty sure Metal Gear Solid 4 already does that, maybe the earlier ones too.

    • a very good question… i think i would do it but since i walk around much when im playing games (especially SP games) its no need to tell me… =)

    • You made me think of this:

      http://youtu.be/ul8j9I90ueM?t=1m7s

      One of the highlights of MGS2 for me.

    • Not a bad idea. Especially for games like CoD, Battlefield, Halo, WoW, etc. There has been times that I have just lost track of time because I was so into my game. It shouldn’t be a Nazi and pop up every hour. Once someone crosses like a 3 hour threshold with no pause, it might be nice for the game to suggest a break. But the feature needs to be flexible for those who do marathons or competitions.

  5. Makes sense and it is something I’ve always kept in mind when sitting down for a long gaming session. Fortunately now I’m married I usually have to get up every hour or so to make the Mrs a cuppa or something so its not too much of an issue for me anymore…

  6. awwww, this has freaked me right out.

    now im going to be obsessively flexing my legs while playing, its like when i found out about dvt on flights, even when im only going to spain or something im constantly stretching, i wish id never read this : (

    • LOL I’m sat at my office desk doing the exact same thing right now. Ignorance is bliss ;)

  7. It’s surprising the link hasn’t been made before, what about people who work seated at a desk for hours at a time each day – they would surely also be at risk. Are immobilised/paralysed people susceptible to pulmonary embolism? Is there a doctor in the house who can enlighten us? :)

    • Yes, immobilised/paralysed people are more susceptible to pulmonary embolism and rely on constant medical attention to help reduce the risk of it occuring.

      • It would seem the risk is quite plausible regarding DVT and gaming then, although it’s always seemed sensible to me to take a break now and then during extended game sessions anyway .. although that’s usually a cigarette break .. :/

    • This is why I pay a handful of Filipino children to move and flex my … um, limbs for me so I can continue with playing… um, my games… on the console! Yes, the console.

    • Paralysed people are at a higher risk if managed incorrectly. It is well recognized that immobility (which causes stasis of your blood) can cause clots, though is only a part of thrombosis risk. You also have increased tendency towards clotting, such as those with blood disorders, pregnancy or dehydration, and damage to a vein. Combined they make Virchow’s triad, which highlights clotting risk.

      So immobility can cause a clot, but it by no means guarantees it. This chap was unlucky, and could well have had an underlying “sticky blood” disorder or dehydration which, combined with his extended periods of immobility, caused a clot. The clot then has to travel from your leg into your lungs, so even if you get a DVT it isn’t necessarily immediately dangerous (though it certainly needs medical attention).

      It’s something to be aware of, but not something to be overly worried about. If people stay well hydrated, and stretch their legs, then risks of clotting is greatly reduced, even when immobile.

  8. The problem is amplified on an aeroplane due to the cabin pressure, which is why everyone associates dvt with flying, but it definitely exists for anyone who remains seated for extended periods. Employers are starting to pick up on this and are offering angled foot rests and recommending breaks for those that spend their working day seated. Tbh, if you’re spending more than an hour playing a game at a time without getting up I’d probably suggest you want to rethink what you’re doing, and not just because of dvt.

    • So in your eyes playing more than an hour at one time is bad – and not because of DVT. So you get immersed in a game and its story and play for over an hour – just like when you watch a long film, say Lord of the Rings (couldn’t think of a longer film at the moment).

      I think everyone, including you have sat and played games, watched TV or a film for longer than an hour – So don’t come out with your pish of people need to rethink what they are doing. Now if you had said 3 hours or something then I may have gone along with what you said but an hour – stupid talk.

      • I agree with Tony. Just because people sit for over an hour watching a film doesn’t mean they were smart to do that. People need to be more health conscious, but most importantly, we shouldn’t have to be told that, it should come from common sense. If people do sit for hours on end without moving and get sick, well, that is their responsibility IMHO.

  9. I agree that this danger should be brought into the light. I think games should remind you to take breaks more actively. But this danger is not limited to gaming, long films and particularly film-marathons are just as bad. As is sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time…. I guess this puts motion control in a somewhat better light.

  10. I both agree and sympathize with the guy but i don’t think he did his cause any favors by taking it to the sun.’Death by Xbox’ proclaimed the front page of Murdochs rag on Saturday,although i did read the article i can see many just switch off or even flat out laugh at the headline and completely miss the cause.
    I do hope their are more reports about his sons death like the one above and a lot less using it to shock a few punters into buying sensationalism.

    • Agree with you totally, it needs reporting clearly with medical facts not ott headlines. I guess ‘death by sitting still for hours’ doesn’t have the same drama to it. I think with all the flack the papers getting at the mo, turning there target to games is a safe option.

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