Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.
I wonder why it is specifically that flying can cause DVTs? I have a history of a dvt in my leg, caused by the contraceptive pill. I have come off the coumadin and am now on aspirin for the rest of my life (150mg a day).
My partner wants to travel overseas, most likely to Hawaii. I imagine I'll have to have a shot of clexane before the flight, but I wonder if anyone knows the reason clots are common amongst travellers? Is it purely the length of time? Because if that's the case EVERYONE should be at risk of clots for not moving their legs while they sleep :P. It is mostly the altitude that is the probelm?
My partner wants to travel overseas, most likely to Hawaii. I imagine I'll have to have a shot of clexane before the flight, but I wonder if anyone knows the reason clots are common amongst travellers? Is it purely the length of time? Because if that's the case EVERYONE should be at risk of clots for not moving their legs while they sleep :P. It is mostly the altitude that is the probelm?
Good prevention guidelines are at http://www.airhealth.org/prevention.html .
I've taken several flights since my DVT/PE (Ohio to Florida, Ohio to Seattle and Ohio to Chicago) all with the full blessing and encouragement of my doctors (I asked each and every one of them, especially the vascular specialist!)
The flight to Florida was 3 weeks after my DVT/PE. They all said that as long as I got up & walked for 5 minutes every hour or so, I'd be fine. That it's not flying itself that's the problem, but the conditions under which you're forced to fly. I did just fine (I was on coumadin at the time, as I still am.) I'm planning 2 more trips, one to Las Vegas (for a wedding) in August, and a trip to Alaska in September, all with the blessing of my doctors (in fact, the vascular specialist agreed to wait until after my trip in September to take me off of the coumadin (since I'm terribly paranoid, and knew I'd be more confident on the coumadin).
(PS, they're pretty sure it was the pill that caused my DVT, also)
Anywho, nobody has mentioned the altitude as a risk. It's the immobility most people have while flying, coupled with the crowding of your legs & dehydration. If you deal with those, you can fly.
While beeing on Aunty Coags it is the safest time to fly...
Excercise while you are sitting (toe curls) drink lots of water and more water which will force you to get up and walk to the washroom and back to your seat,
AVOID ALCOOL AND/OR COFFEE!!!!!
They dehygrate you, drink water and more water.
Wear your compression sock and drink more water.
Did I forget to mention that you need to drink lots of water?
The story about altitude, it does not work anymore, why can you get a clot from sitting at your desk behind a computer,
(that is called an eclot.)
OK, back to what I was saying...
http://fvleiden.org/ask/110.html
Keep in mind, the research information is based on high altitudes traveled on land not air or sea. Being a retired member of the U.S. Submarine Force I spent about 20 years riding submarines. The same type of pressurization/depressurization that affects flying also affects those on submarine service.
Scuba diving is a different story since the only depressurization involved is clearing your ears. Most Undersea Medical Officers (UMOs) would advise a person high at risk for development of clots to avoid deep water dives (greater then 120 ft.).
As far as air travel precautions, here is some more guidance from a leading blood clot researcher:
http://fvleiden.org/ask/46.html
Regards,
Tom in Connecticut