The blood’s ability to clot can save your life. It also presents some challenges, however. While you want a cut to clot to prevent you from losing excess blood, a clot forming inside your body is less than ideal.
When blood clots form in one of the veins deep inside your body, medical experts call this deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition poses a health risk because the clot can unexpectedly dislodge and travel to your lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
Long-haul travel increases your risk for DVT. If you plan to spend more than four hours in a plane, car, train, or any other confined form of transportation, you should know your DVT risk.
We can help. To evaluate your risk and get a personalized plan for preventing blood clots, come in to see our team at Vascular & Interventional Associates in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. With expertise in deep vein thrombosis, we support patients throughout northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati, Ohio, area.
Anytime you sit for more than four hours at a time, the inactivity can allow your blood to clot, contributing to DVT.
Travel generally immobilizes you more than most other undertakings. Even during a four-hour stint at your desk at work, odds are that you’ll get up to use the bathroom or get a cup of coffee or water.
When you sit on a moving vehicle, though, your options for mobility are limited. When you don’t move, it’s harder for your body to circulate blood as it should. That stagnation can lead to coagulation, or clot development.
When you fly, the risk hikes up even further. The air pressure changes in the cabin can encourage coagulation in your blood.
The right interventions depend on your level of risk for DVT. If you already have the signs of this condition, don’t wait to schedule an appointment to see our team.
If you don’t have a personal or family history of blood clots, finding ways to move should be enough to avoid DVT. If you’re driving, plan to stop every couple of hours to stretch your legs. If you’re traveling by bus or train, check for longer stops at stations where you can get out and move. On a plane, get up and walk the aisle periodically.
You can also work to encourage healthy blood flow while you’re sitting. Flex your calves, roll your ankles, and pull your knees into your chest periodically.
If you have a risk of DVT, compression stockings can support healthy circulation, lowering your risk of clotting. Our team can help you find the right option for your legs before your travel.
We can also help you work on lifestyle changes to lower your risk, like reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking.
If you want support to reduce your risk of a blood clot during your holiday travel plans, we’re here for you. Make an appointment today by calling the Vascular & Interventional Associates office or booking a visit online.
