Practical Practitioner

By: Pamela Egan, FNP-C CDE

Minimizing the risk of blood clots and pulmonary embolism

Airlines and health authorities are now advising passengers on how to minimize risk of getting a blood clot or pulmonary embolism.

If you are planning a long trip either by ground or air, you may want to take an 81 mg tablet of aspirin every day, drink water like a parched camel, pace up and down the aisle and try to stretch as best you can. Some even recommend wearing support hose or anti-embolism stockings if you are prone to clotting disorders.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms, usually in the legs. Most clots dissolve, but if one breaks off, it can be fatal. Blood clots can travel to the lung, heart or brain, leading to pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stoke. Even when they are not fatal, blood clots can be debilitating.

Many people remain on blood thinners for the rest of their lives.

Certain people have greater chances of developing deep vein thrombosis including:

Those who are older or overweight

Those who have received chemotherapy

Those who have recently had surgery

The risk of deep vein thrombosis seemed to increase during air travel because sitting still for a long time slowed blood flow and increased the thickness of the blood, while compression by the plane seats could cause blood-vessel lesions.

Some airlines have pointed out the potential danger in recent flight publications and recommended that passengers do exercises while in their seats. Many airlines now recommend seat exercises in their in-flight videos, cards or magazines without raising any explicit health warnings.

Airlines are promoting healthy flying. This includes telling passengers to stay hydrated, move around a lot, avoid alcohol and possibly wear compression stockings. On car trips, take advantage of rest stops by exercising during frequent breaks, especially if you’re high risk. Prevention is the best medicine!

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