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Blood clots and flying
There is nothing new about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) but it is only in the past decade we have begun to understand why it occurs.
In normal life a great number of people experience blood clotting in one form or another. Quite often a clot may develop and disappear without you knowing anything about it and even if DVT does occur it can be cured with simple remedies if the symptoms are recognised and reported.
There is currently no scientific evidence that will tell us how common the problem is but we do know that DVT can occur if you sit still for long periods and the circulation slows down. This can happen in an aircraft, a car or even, as was reported recently, sitting in front of a computer.
Most people can fly with no worries but passengers who suffer from heart or lung disease, cancer, have a family history of DVT, or are recovering from a recent operation should consult their doctor prior to any flight.
In the unlikely event of a blood clot occurring during a flight, symptoms may not appear until between five and seven days later. If swelling in the leg does happen after a flight, then consult a doctor as soon as possible. If a clot has formed, a simple course of bloodthinning tablets or injections is the remedy. Please don't worry if your legs and ankles swell during a flight. This happens to most people and the more you can move your feet up and down, the less is the swelling.
The fact is that the risk of developing DVT remains extremely low and by following a few simple guidelines the problem can be virtually eliminated:
One tablet of aspirin on the morning of the flight helps reduce the stickiness of the blood and decreases the risk of a clot developing but do consult your doctor before taking aspirin or any drugs.
On board, there are a few simple exercises you can do in your seat to promote the flow of blood.
Drink plenty of water during the flight to dilute the risk of a clot developing. Don't drink too much alcohol. Remember that at altitude the effects of alcohol are also heightened.
For further advice on travel-related DVT click here
