Healthy living
Body matters
Long journeys raise clot risk
Your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) goes up if you travel for more than four hours in any kind of transport, not just airplanes, according to new research
Scientists in the Netherlands studied nearly 2000 people up to the age of 70 who had developed DVT after travelling and found that long haul journeys by air, car, bus or train were all equally risky.
Although the overall risk of DVT is still low, travelling in general was found to double the risk and you are most likely to develop a blood clot in the first week after travel.
The study, led by Dr Suzanne Cannegieter and colleagues from the Leiden University Medical Centre, also found that some individuals are more at risk than others.
People who were overweight were 10 times more likely to be affected and women on the contraceptive pill were 20 times more at risk.
The researchers concluded that immobility seems to be a key factor, although reduced oxygen levels in planes may be a trigger for some people.
DVT is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. It can be dangerous if part of a clot breaks off, and gets stuck in an artery leading to the lungs, interrupting the blood supply.
A common symptom of DVT is swelling and/or pain in the calf or thigh on one leg. In more serious cases, you may feel dizzy and breathless, and suffer chest pains. But some people with DVT don't get any symptoms at all.
The Department of Health has issued the following guidelines for travellers on long journeys:</h1><li>Wear comfortable clothes- Bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes every 30 minutes or so
- Press your feet hard against the floor to help increase the blood flow in your legs
- Do upper-body and breathing exercises to further improve circulation
- Take occasional walks (even if only down the aisle)
- Drink enough water
- Consider wearing elastic compression stockings
- Don't drink alcohol, which can lead to dehydration and immobility
- Don't take sleeping pills, which also cause immobility
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.