How to Prevent Blood Clots During a Flight

Blood clots sometimes form in your legs when you’re immobile and stuck in a confined sitting position. If your first thought is economy seating on an overseas flight, you understand the problem. 

The longer the flight, the greater the risk, and it’s further aggravated when you have limited room to move. Dr. Enrique Hernandez and the team at Advanced Vascular Cardiac & Veins in Miami, Florida, wish to warn travelers that deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can combine to form a life-threatening health risk. 

Know this, however: The combined condition, called venous thromboembolism, is preventable. The key is limiting clot formation in your legs before problems start. 

Deep vein thrombosis

When the deep veins in your legs suffer from blood flow restrictions like those caused by the rigors of air travel, clots can form in a matter of hours. When you can return to normal movement, it’s possible that these clots can dissolve, removing the health risks. 

At other times, though, clots can persist, causing symptoms that may include: 

• Leg pain
• Lower leg swelling, including the ankle and calf 
• Skin discoloration, usually red in color
• Skin warmth in the leg

You may be at a greater clot risk during air travel if you have any of these conditions: 

• Over 60 years old
• Personal or family history of blood clots
• High blood pressure
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes 
• Elevated cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Chronic inflammatory conditions

Clots formed by deep vein thrombosis may in some cases break loose and travel to your lungs, where they can cause a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism. 

How to prevent blood clots during a flight

In general, keep moving as much as the flight allows. Aisle seats typically permit the most mobility. Use overhead storage rather than stowing bags, where they can restrict leg movement. Stretch your ankles and calves when you’re seated to encourage blood flow. 

We can help you by recommending graduated compression stockings, called anti-embolism stockings, for patients who have a higher risk of developing clots. These differ from regular compression hosiery, so talk to us in advance of your trip. 

We can also prescribe low molecular weight heparin for those at the highest risk of developing clots. It’s delivered as an injection under the supervision of Dr. Hernandez. 

Low-dose aspirin therapy is no longer recommended for the prevention of travel-related blood clots. Check with us if you use aspirin therapy for other reasons so we can assess your best course of action. 

Travel-related blood clots are rare, but their potential is serious. If you’re concerned about your risk level, book a consultation with Advanced Vascular Cardiac & Veins. Call our nearest Miami location directly or request an appointment online today.