Deep Vein Thrombosis and Air Travel

In medicine, deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, also known as 'thrombus' in a deep vein. It is a form of thrombophlebitis.






They are clumps of thick blood.


They occur mostly at the lower legs or the thighs.


People who…

• Travel to other countries for surgery
• Have family history of DVT
• Have cancer and under treatment
• Have recent surgery or leg surgery
• Have abnormal clotting problems
• Are obese or tall
• Acute or chronic medical problems
• Have inflammatory bowel illnesses
• Have varicose veins
• Are pregnant
• Have existing or history of cardiac problems or stroke
• Have dehydration
• Have severe infection
• Are over 60 years old



It was once believed that passengers sitting in the Economy Class on the planes are more prone to get DVT due to the cramped sitting arrangements, with little legroom. Hence, deep vein thrombosis is also known as ‘Economy Class Syndrome’.

However, recent analysis of the frequency of the condition shows that the factor does not lie on what class the passengers are sitting at, even the aircrew have a risk. (Except cabin attendants who get to move about most of the time). Therefore, the cramped sitting arrangements may not be the prime causes. Instead, the lack of movement is much more important.

In conclusion, DVT takes its toll on people when they sit on the airplane for long periods of time without moving about.


The blood clots may travel through our bloodstream into our lungs and block up the flow of blood which then causes death. One in every 100 people who develops DVT dies.


- Similar to common flu (BUT DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY!)
- Feeling faint (First and most common symptom)
- Sudden swelling in lower leg (more often the left leg)
- Cramp, pain or tenderness in affected leg
- Bruise or swelling below the knee
- Difficulty in standing properly with full weight on the affected leg
- Breathless (Rapid and painful breathing)
- Cramp at sides, chest pain and shoulder pain
- Cough and Fever
- Slight change of colour in skin (such as redness)



If you begin to develop a few of these symptoms after a flight, you have to consult your doctor IMMEDIATELY.



What is it? It occurs when a piece of blood clots travels to the lungs, blocking one of the pulmonary artery. Thus causing chest pain, breathlessness, coughing of phlegm tinted with blood. It can be fatal.




What is it? It occurs due to the damage of valves in the deep veins caused by DVT. Instead of flowing upwards, the blood pools in the lower leg, causing long term pain, swelling and also ulcers on the leg.




What is it? Blood clots causes pressure in the vein to become very high, hence obstructing the blood flow through the arteries, hence less oxygen is being carried to the affected leg.


• Putting on knee-high compression stockings at least two hours before the flight and wearing them during the entire flight
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Exercising the leg muscles
• Walking around during the flight
• Avoid tight-fitting, restrictive clothing
• Wear loose comfortable clothes
• Sitting with both legs on the floor (uncrossed)
• Avoid sleeping if possible as it will stop you from keeping your legs active
• Do not drink large amounts of dehydrating beverages



Nattokinase, an enzyme which is isolated from a Japanese food called natto (made from boiled and fermented soybeans) may help with DVT. Studies have shown that the natural remedy can prevent and dissolve blood clots and also prevent the hardening of arteries, heart attack, stoke, angine and senility. However, it should be avoided by patients who are already consuming blood thinning medications and those who suffer from bleeding disorders.


One tablespoon of cod liver oil consumed daily with 400IU of vitamin E can help prevent blood clots as well. Herbs such as horse chestnut (good for circulatory problems associated with varicose veins as well); butcher’s broom (key herb for the veins) and gingko (helps in circulation) are also alternatives in the treatment for DVT.

Ginger root helps the blood to flow more freely through arms and legs by relaxing muscles surrounding the blood vessels. Turmeric on the other hand can prevent the formation of new clots. Garlic, also an effective blood thinner which helps to reduce clotting of our blood can also be consumed. Citrus juice and lemon polyphenol found in lemon juice improves blood circulation, hence preventing DVT.


A filter can be put into the vena cava of the heart (main vein going back to your heart from your lower body) if advised by a doctor. The filter is able to catch (‘filter’) the clot which moves through your bloodstream, so as to prevent it from reaching your lungs. Although it helps to reduce pulmonary embolism, this treatment is used mostly on patients who have several blood clots travelling to their lungs.


Hospital inpatient treatment is also considered for patients with more than two of the following risk factors, as they have more risk of complications during treatment:

1. Bilateral DVT
2. Renal Insufficiency (also known as renal failure, whereby your kidneys no longer have enough kidney function to maintain a healthy body state)
3. Cancer ( a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth, invasion, and sometimes metastasis)
4. Body weight less than 70kg
5. Recent Immobility
6. Chronic Heart Failure


The standard treatment for deep vein thrombosis is the consumption of anticoagulant medicines which change chemicals in our blood to stop clotting of blood easily, this includes heparin and warfarin. However, anticoagulant medicines do not dissolve blood clots which are already in our body; it can only prevent formation of new ones and the old ones from getting larger.

There are also medicines available in the market used to dissolve blood clots, such as thrombolytic medicines, but these drugs causes bleeding, hence usage of such medicines are not encouraged to treat deep vein thrombosis.


After contracting deep vein thrombosis, patients will have to wear compression stockings for two or more years to ease their pain and to reduce swelling. They are also used to prevent post thrombotic syndrome.





About DVT -
1. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html (Video)
2. http://www.travelhealth.co.uk/advice/dvt.htm

Symptoms and Complications of DVT -
1. http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis.html
2. http://www.yourhealthbase.com/DVT.html
3. http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/deep_vein_thrombosis

Measures of DVT -
1. http://www.informedhealthonline.org/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt-what-is-the-risk-of-developing-dvt-during-a.366.306.en.html
2. http://www.clotcare.com/clotcare/dvt.aspx
3. http://www.yourhealthbase.com/DVT.htm
4. http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/deep_vein_thrombosis

Treatments for DVT -
1. http://www.sirweb.org/patients/deep-vein-thrombosis/
2. http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis.html#6
3. http://acupuncturebandon.blogspot.com/2008/05/deep-venous-thrombosis.html
4. http://www.igan.ca/id76.html
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVT

Images -
1. http://www.sjch.us/sjch/images/stories/services/DVT_clot_illustration.jpg
2. http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/imagesenlarged/418W.jpg
3. http://rjmatthewsmd.com/Definitions/img/legveinTE-fig.1b.jpg
4. http://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/anticoag/images/dvt.jpg
5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/24548102@N00/2527350763/

http://www.slideshare.net/dbridley/deep-vein-thrombosis (Slide Show)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html (Video)