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Protecting Yourself From Deep Vein Thrombosis

Originally, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) was called economy class syndrome – its name coming from the cramped, lack of movement situation facing passengers on long airplane flights. Now this condition is called DVT, its proper medical name.

Veins

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards your heart (arteries carry blood away from the heart) and the body contains both a superficial system of veins (just look at the back of your hands) and a deeper system that is found within the muscles of the body.

Thrombosis

DVT is a condition where a blood clot (called a thrombus) forms inside a deep vein in the body. Thrombosis refers to more than just a blood clot; it denotes that addition of inflammation at the site of the clot. This presents a very serious danger, as the blood clot can break free and travel through the system of deep veins back to the heart, where it is re-pumped into the arteries (this process happens to all of the blood) and then travels to the lungs.

When it is Life-Threatening

Here is where the life-threatening situation occurs. The presence of a blood clot in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism. In the people that develop DVTs, 30% go on to develop a pulmonary embolism, leading to 60,000 fatalities in America every year. And this statistic is probably under reported as many fatalities from pulmonary embolisms are mistakenly labeled as heart attacks (as both are the result of fatal blood clots).

DVTs usually occur in the deep veins of the legs, thighs and pelvis. While there can be a variety of causes for the condition, the one we are concerned with here is physical immobilization (prolonged sitting, especially with crossed legs) and the slowing of blood flow.

Symptoms

The symptoms of DVT are swelling and pain in the leg, caused by the build up of blood at the site of the clot that is seeping into the muscle. Because other medical conditions can cause this symptom (muscle strains, infections, superficial vein inflammation), DVTs are difficult to diagnose.

In addition, many DVT victims have no symptoms until the clot breaks off and develops into a pulmonary embolism. When this occurs, the person may exhibit shortness of breath, coughing up blood, rapid heart rate and sharp chest pain. Other manifestations can include very low blood pressure, unconsciousness, or death due to lung or heart failure. Once again, other medical conditions such as pneumonia or heart attack can demonstrate the same symptoms. Only specific tests can confirm a pulmonary embolism – pulmonary angiography, nuclear medicine lung scans, and contrast–enhanced, spiral, computerized tomography (spiral CT scans).

With treatment, the clot can stabilize and attach firmly to the wall of the vein, so the risk of the clot dislodging and traveling to the lungs decreases. However, on a long-term basis, 25-50% of victims develop chronic swelling, pain; skin scaling in the leg and serious heart problems.

So obviously, DVTs are grave threats that must be avoided at all possibilities. While prolonged car and train travel can also cause these problems, confined airline travel on long flights are the worst culprits. According to the 12th Congress of the European Hematology Association, air travel in general is linked with a 2-3 times increased chance of developing DVT. Guard Against Immobility

In fact, studies by the World Health Organization show that if travelers sit immobile for four hours or more, they double their risk of DVT. Also, if travelers take several flights in a short period of time (within four weeks), they significantly increase their risk of DVT, as the elevated risk remains high for about four weeks. Other additional risk factors are: being obese, being very tall (over 6ft/3in) or short (under 5ft/3in), using oral contraceptives, having high blood pressure, having blood disorders that increase clotting tendencies, and wearing tight clothes.

How to Protect Yourself

• The risk of developing blood clots doubles after traveling for four hours or more.

• Take an aspirin before your flight.

• Wear elastic travel socks to prevent clotting.

• Wear loose-fitting clothing.

• Avoid crossing your legs or remaining in a prolonged uncomfortable position while seated.

• Drink adequate fluids, at least one liter per five hours of flight time.

• Get up every half-hour and walk around.

Stretches

Do these stretches once each half-hour:

• In your seat: Flex ankles by rotating feet in circles.

• Bring one knee up to your chest; hold the position for 15 seconds.

• In your seat: Stretch foot arches by placing upper half of foot on footrest and pushing lower heel forward.

• Put feet flat on the floor and point them upward. Return to flat position; then lift both heels as high as possible.

• In your seat: extend arms overhead and lean side to side, feel all the muscles stretching.

• If you can safely stand and lean against a wall, try this stretch: As your left shoulder leans against the wall, bend your right leg at the knee, and bring the foot behind you. Use your right hand to gently pull the right foot up and feel stretching in the right thigh muscles. Repeat with left leg by leaning with right shoulder.

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Sources: Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Acta Chirurgica Belgica 2005 Feb;105(1):16-25 Exclusion and Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Outpatients by Sequential Noninvasive Tools International Angiology 2002 Mar;21(1):9-19 Causes and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT.net (www.dvt.net) Precautions for Air Travel: Economy Class Syndrome and Deep Vein Thrombosis The Whiteley Clinic (http://www.economy-class.co.uk)

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