Preventing blood clots while we travel

Do you ever travel?  While we may not all travel to Ireland or Aruba, most of us travel in our cars.  If you travel by car, train, bus or airplane for a timeframe of four hours of more, you face a risk of blood clots.  Much of what we know about travel and blood clot dangers has been learned from air travel but it applies equally to any long trip.  

Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can affect anyone who travels four hours or more. 

DVTs can affect anyone who sits still for a long time.  When we sit still, we do not utilize the muscles in our feet and legs which help push the blood back up the venous system to our hearts.  When the blood just sits in the deep veins of the legs, it can develop into a clot. 

 While anyone can suffer from a DVT, there are risk factors which increase this danger: 

·       people over 40,

·       anyone with a body mass index over 30 (obesity),

·       varicose veins,

·       recent surgery or injury within 3 months,

·       women who are pregnant and up to 6 weeks after childbirth,

·       women who are on hormone replacement therapy or who are on birth control pills containing estrogen

·       Cancer treatment or active cancer

·       A history of blood clot personally or within your family

·       Having a medical catheter in a large vein

·       Having limited mobility (a cast or other immobilizer)

Signs and symptoms of DVT:

“About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all.” Symptoms include:

·       unexplained swelling and pain in your arm or leg

·       skin is warm to touch

·       skin appeared reddened

http://www.cdc.gov/features/TravelDVT/  According to the CDC, contact your doctor as soon as possible for any of these symptoms. 

While signs and symptoms of a DVT can be serious, the life-threatening danger of a DVT occurs if the blood clot breaks loose and travels to your lungs (called a pulmonary embolus or PE).  Signs and symptoms of a PE include

·       “difficulty breathing

·       Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat

·       Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing

·       Anxiety

·       Coughing up blood

·       Lightheadedness or fainting. If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical help right away.”  http://www.cdc.gov/features/TravelDVT

How do we protect ourselves from the dangers of blood clots.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives these suggestions:

·       Be aware of the dangers of DVT and what signs and symptoms may occur.

·       Move your legs often.  “If you’ve been sitting for a long time, get up and stretch your legs.  Extend your legs straight out and flex your ankles (pulling your toes toward you.)  Some airlines suggest pulling your knee up toward the chest and holding it there with your hands on your lower leg for 15 seconds, and then repeat up to 10 times.  These types of activities help to improve the flow of blood in your legs.

·       Talk to your doctor about your risks of DVT and any planned long (more than 4 hr) trips.  Discuss your risks and whether there is anything you should be doing to help prevent DVT.  Would compression stockings (TED hose) help protect you?  Would it be a safe and wise behavior for you to take an aspirin to help protect you from a blood clot?  Talk to your doctor and make a plan for your travel. 

·       Do you take blood thinners?  If so, continue taking as your doctor instructed.  

      More information about DVT and how we can protect ourselves can be found at

http://www.cdc.gov/features/TravelDVT