Preventing DVT

The pressurized cabin of an airplane is a frequent concern for travelers—whether you need meditation to soothe yourself through the flight process, or chewing gum to equalize the pressure of your inner ears, many people take preventative precautions when they fly.

Deep vein thrombosis can be a life-threatening hazard for passengers, especially on long flights, and it can be difficult to guard against. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of your deeper veins (often in the legs) where it can cause pain and swelling. Even more worrisome than the ache and discomfort when it comes to DVT is the risk that one of these clots could break away and travel through your bloodstream. Once in your blood stream, the clot could lodge somewhere vital (like inside your lungs) and become a serious, life-threatening condition (such as pulmonary embolism). Sometimes DVT can occur in a passenger without any symptoms; sometimes DVT can be deadly.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can hit any long-distance traveler (regardless of age, physical condition, gender). DVT is the cause of multiple hospitalizations per year, some of which result in death. In the U.S., DVT is the fourth leading cause of strokes. If circulatory health is a concern for you, or if you simply want to take the pressure off of long-distance air travel, consider your options in consultation with a healthcare professional to augment your journey.