Tips for Preventing Blood Clots During Travel
Tips for Preventing Blood Clots During Travel
When you travel for long periods of time (four hours or more), you are at an increased risk to develop a venous blood clot in one of your legs due to a lack of mobility. The good news is that you don't have to avoid traveling to protect your cardiovascular health. Check out these simple steps that can help prevent blood clots while you travel.
Understanding Blood Clots
Blood clots in your veins occur when the blood flowing through your blood vessels is significantly restricted or blocked. When a blood clot occurs in a deep vein in your body (a vein that's not near the surface of the skin), it's called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots will sometimes dissolve on their own, however, in some circumstances they can be very dangerous. For instance, when a blood clot in a deep vein of your leg breaks loose, it can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal. For this reason, it's worth taking the necessary steps to lower your risk of developing a blood clot when you are more susceptible, such as while traveling.
Tips for Prevention During Travel
While blood clots can affect anyone regardless of their age or health history, certain factors can increase your chances of developing a clot. These include having a family history of blood clots, pregnancy, obesity, and being sedentary for long periods of time. Knowing how to prevent a blood clot from forming while you travel is important, especially if you have other blood clot risk factors. Keep these tips in mind before your next cross-country flight or road trip.
Go Back When you travel for long periods of time (four hours or more), you are at an increased risk to develop a venous blood clot in one of your legs due to a lack of mobility. The good news is that you don't have to avoid traveling to protect your cardiovascular health. Check out these simple steps that can help prevent blood clots while you travel.
Understanding Blood Clots
Blood clots in your veins occur when the blood flowing through your blood vessels is significantly restricted or blocked. When a blood clot occurs in a deep vein in your body (a vein that's not near the surface of the skin), it's called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots will sometimes dissolve on their own, however, in some circumstances they can be very dangerous. For instance, when a blood clot in a deep vein of your leg breaks loose, it can travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal. For this reason, it's worth taking the necessary steps to lower your risk of developing a blood clot when you are more susceptible, such as while traveling.
Tips for Prevention During Travel
While blood clots can affect anyone regardless of their age or health history, certain factors can increase your chances of developing a clot. These include having a family history of blood clots, pregnancy, obesity, and being sedentary for long periods of time. Knowing how to prevent a blood clot from forming while you travel is important, especially if you have other blood clot risk factors. Keep these tips in mind before your next cross-country flight or road trip.
- Hydration: When you're properly hydrated, it's easier for your blood to circulate through your blood vessels as it should. It’s a good idea to drink plenty of water before and during your travel day.
- Compression: Wearing compression socks or stockings can promote good blood circulation in your legs as they gently squeeze. Because they come in varying levels of compression, be sure to consult your healthcare provider to ensure that you wear stockings that are appropriate for your needs.
- Regular Movement: Be sure to get up to move around at least one time every hour while you're traveling. This will keep the blood flowing freely through your legs. Likewise, you can also exercise your calf muscles while sitting down to encourage good blood flow.
- Medication/Doctor Consultation: Depending on your health history and individual risk of developing a blood clot, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to take before or during your travels, including Aspirin or other blood thinners. If you have a family history of blood clots or another health conditions that put you at a higher risk of developing a blood clot, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider before traveling.