It appears that deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be a particular risk for those who travel long distances to engage in a physical competition. The news source points to Chris and Tammy Lifka, both experienced runners who are in top physical shape, but who both suffered from blood clots after engaging in an iron man challenge and a bike race, respectively.

Sherwin Ho, M.D., of the University of Chicago Medical Center told the news provider that he thought the lesson that can be learned from the Lifkas, who recovered from the condition, is that sitting still for a long period of time can result in blood clots and long car rides can be unsuspected culprits in the development of DVT.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) states that swelling in one's arm or leg, skin redness or a warm spot on the leg can all be signs of a blood clot and wearing loose-fitting clothes can help prevent DVT from forming.

Lead researcher Edward Feener and his colleagues identified a new mechanism that involves the plasma kallikrein protein, which interferes with the normal blood clotting process in the brain following injury caused by diabetes.

The paper, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine, revealed that treating hyperglycemia appeared to decrease brain damage in laboratory rats. However, when the scientists injected plasma kallikrein into the animals' brains, this rapidly increased major bleeding in those that were diabetic.

"Given the prevalence of strokes and the damage that they inflict, these findings are exciting because they suggest the possibility that rapid control of blood sugar levels may provide an opportunity to reduce intracerebral hemorrhage," Feener explained.

He added that this finding could have important implications, since about 50 percent of stroke patients have hyperglycemia.

According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes is most common among individuals of African-American, Latino, Asian and Native-American ethnicity.

Reuters reports that researchers in Copenhagen followed nearly 19,000 individuals aged 20 and older for 20 years to assess their heart disease risk factors.

They found that those who were obese or were heavy smokers had an increased risk of developing VTE. Compared with non-smokers, those who smoked 25 cigarettes a day or more had a 52 percent greater risk of developing the clots.

In addition, obese adults were 65 percent more likely to have VTE, compared to individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI).

"The main message for the public from our study is that losing weight and quitting smoking are likely to not only reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, but also of venous thromboembolism," lead researcher Anders Holst, M.D., told Reuters Health.

Previous studies have suggested that VTE has largely the same risk factors as heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.

Thirty participants were given a dose of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich oil and, while both succeeded in helping with blood clotting, there seemed to be gender-related differences in how the supplements were received.

"The distinctive gender-specific, inhibitory response pattern observed in our study suggests that males may benefit more from EPA supplementation while females are more responsive to DHA," the researchers wrote in the published study in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases (NMCD ).

Omega-3 fatty acids are important supplements to any diet because they can control blood clotting and build cell membranes in the brain, and may prevent cancers, autoimmune diseases and arthritis, according to Harvard School of Public Health’s Frank Sacks, M.D.

This new research appears to indicate that men will want to consume more omega-3 fatty acids with EPA and women would want to put an emphasis on supplements with DHA. The news source claims that this discovery could affect how these nutritional supplements are formulated in the future.

A new study may have found a simple solution to the hazards of DVT. Compression stockings can improve the blood flow in the legs so clots are less likely to develop.

These findings were determined by ultrasound assessments of 3,100 stroke patients who either wore compression stockings that reached their thighs or that ended below the knee. After a month, those who had worn the hosiery were found to be less likely to experience DVT.

While the difference may not be relevant to patients until more studies are conducted, the findings appeared to impress the researchers.

"It would seem sensible that thigh-length stockings should be the preferred option, at least until robust evidence indicates that below-knee stockings are both equally effective and more effective than no stockings," the authors concluded, according to the news source.

The Times of India states that drinking red wine can be one method to prevent blood clots from forming. Red wine can also provide a rich source of antioxidants.

Nattokinase—or natto—was first discovered by American soldiers during the United States occupation of Japan in 1946. It was a fermented cheese-like food made from soy beans that the Japanese people enjoyed. However, because it smelled strange and seemed unsanitary in its preparation, the U.S. Army would not allow the Japanese or American soldiers to eat it.

But while conducting a test in 1980 to find blood clot-dissolving compounds in foods, a Japanese scientist rediscovered natto’s amazing “clot-busting” benefits. This natural enzyme—made by adding the beneficial bacteria Natto Bacillus to boiled soybeans to create a fermented cheese-like food—was originally discovered more than 1,000 years ago by Samurai warriors. Natto has been used for centuries in traditional Japanese medicine for poor circulation, weak hearts, fatigue and other health problems.

According to multiple scientific studies, nattokinase can not only help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming and help safely dissolve existing blood clots to prevent clogged arteries, but it can also help…

• Improve your circulation
• Prevent cold hands and feet
• Relieve leg pain and cramps
• Decrease varicose veins
• Improve dull thinking or brain “fog”
• Provide blood pressure relief
• Boost low energy levels

These benefits of the “stinky cheese” remedy can be obtained through eating the natto food itself or by taking a quality supplement containing the natto enzyme. By improving the blood circulation throughout your body, natto can make all the difference to the overall health of your body.

Doctors have recommended that the 26-year old driver avoid racing for a minimum of six months.

"A blood clot is a dangerous thing," vascular surgeon Gilman Tyler M.D. told FOX News. "When you get a blood clot in your leg, one of the things it can do is break loose and go to your lung, and that’s called a pulmonary embolus. It is a significant health problem. It’s sort of surprising to me that we haven’t seen more of that in NASCAR because those guys probably get pretty dehydrated and they’re sitting in one position for hours at a time. I’m sort of surprised we haven’t heard of more of that because those are risk factors for sure."

Vickers called the pain he experienced from the clot "the most excruciating of his life."

Symptoms of DVT include swelling, gradual onset of pain, redness, warmth to the touch, leg cramps and a bluish or whitish discoloration of the skin, according to WebMD. Many DVT sufferers have no symptoms as well.

Natural ways to prevent blood clots include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity and keeping legs elevated while sitting or lying down.

Reuters reports that researchers in Great Britain examined the medical records of more than 13,700 adults with IBD and more than 71,600 people from the general population without the condition for the study.

They found that individuals with IBD were overall three times more likely to get a blood clot compared to others without the condition. However, individuals suffering from an IBD flare-up are eight times as likely to get a potentially deadly blood clot.

"The increased risk we have demonstrated for patients with active disease outside the hospital means that their doctors should regard them as a high-risk group during these times," study co-author Matthew Grainge, M.D., told Reuters.

The study’s authors say their findings prove that healthcare providers must educate IBD patients about the risk of clots and methods of prevention during flare-ups.

IBD refers to a group of conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, marked by chronic inflammation in the intestines. Symptoms include stomach pain and diarrhea.

Among the natural remedies believed to help treat IBD are acupuncture and supplements such as evening primrose oil, borage oil, fish oil or probiotics.

According to HealthDay News, researchers analyzed data from Sweden’s National Prostate Cancer Register, which includes 96 percent of all prostate cancer cases in that country. The participants were divided into three groups – those receiving endocrine or hormone therapy, those receiving surgery and/or radiation and those who were simply being watched.

They found that men taking hormone therapy had a 2.48 increased risk of developing a blood clot and almost double the chance of a pulmonary embolism, compared to men without prostate cancer. Those who were treated with surgery had a 73 percent increased risk of blood clots and those who were being monitored had a 27 percent increased risk of blood clots. None had an increased risk of arterial embolism, which is when clots block an artery.

"We have known for decades that cancer patients have a greater risk of blood clots, but it hasn’t been as well-defined in the prostate cancer population," said Dr. Steven Clinton, director of prostate and genitourinary oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus.

Despite the findings, the study’s authors say doctors should not change the way men with this type of tumor are treated.

A 2003 American Heart Association study found that drinking a pint of Guinness each day can reduce the risk of blood clots that cause heart attacks.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin conducted tests to compare the health benefits of stout Guinness with lager Heineken.

They fed the two beers to dogs with clogged arteries and then measured the effects on the stickiness of blood-clotting cells. The results showed only the dogs that were fed Guinness had reduced clotting activity, making them less likely to have a heart attack.

Researchers said that dark stout beer, like Guinness, is packed with powerful antioxidant compounds called flavonoids, which can help reduce damage to the lining of arteries.

Other possible health benefits of drinking beer in moderation include protecting against type 2 diabetes, increasing good cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of developing dementia and improving cognitive function.

"People should realize that a little bit of alcohol on a regular basis decreases the risks of aging," Boston University School of Medicine’s Dr. R. Curtis Ellison told Forbes magazine.