In some cases, your doctor may want you to wait longer. Blood-thinning medications used to treat DVT need time to help the clot break and reduce symptoms. For this reason, the recommendation is if you’ve had a blood clot recently, you shouldn’t travel for at least 4 weeks. In addition, the lower air pressure during flight also increases this risk. Does flying make blood clots worse?Ī prolonged lack of movement increases the risk of a blood clot forming. The symptoms of a blood clot moving to the arteries in the lung can include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fever. How can you tell if a blood clot is moving? Some medical professionals recommend waiting for four weeks after treatment with medications is complete before taking to the air. It may not be a good idea to fly immediately, but you should consult your doctor to decide if it is safe. If you have a history of blood clots or have recently been treated for them, your risk of developing a PE or DVT while flying is even higher. Read on for answers to more questions about blood clots and flying. You can also walk in place at your seat if you have enough room, or take a few minutes in the lavatory to stretch your legs or walk in place. If you are on a bus or train, standing, stretching, and walking in the aisles can help.Plan scheduled breaks to stretch your legs or take short walks if you travel by car.Whether in the air or on the ground, long periods of time spent in a confined space may increase your risk of blood clots. Preventing blood clots during other forms of travel Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 ounces (oz) of water an hour, and avoid or limit any beverage that can promote dehydration, such as alcohol or coffee.Avoid crossing your legs, which can reduce blood circulation.Alternatively, you can place the ball under your leg and move your leg over the ball to massage the muscles.Īccording to the 2021 guidelines by the American Society of Hematology (ASH), preventive medication and wearing compression socks are remedies more appropriate if you know you are at a higher risk of developing a blood clot. While seated, gently push the ball into your thigh and roll it up and down your leg. Bring a tennis or lacrosse ball on board with you. Massage your leg muscles: In addition to moving your legs, massage can help promote better circulation.That way, the crew will be more lenient in allowing you to move around the plane. Communicate with the airline: If you know you are prone to blood clots, you may wish to alert the airline before the flight.If you have enough space, bring your knee up to your chest, place your hands on your calf and hold for 10-15 seconds. Do this by extending your legs straight and flexing your ankles upward. Move around: Get up and walk around at least once an hour and exercise your calf muscles while seated.That will help you stretch out and move around during the flight. Choose a spacious seat: If you can, select an aisle or bulkhead seat, or pay an additional fee for a seat with extra legroom. However, there are different types of compression socks, so make sure to pick the right ones for you and ask your doctor if you’re unsure.
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