Healthy Edge
Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Hidden Travel Danger
What are your travel plans this summer? While many of us regularly board planes or hop in cars to see breathtaking sites and family members, we may not be mindful of the threat of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- a serious health risk linked to travel and aging. If you don't already have plans to protect yourself from DVT, make some with the tips below.
DVT is the formation of blood clots (or thrombi) in major veins of the legs, pelvis and in rare cases, the arms or neck. Clots can break from the veins of origin and travel to the lungs, inhibiting needed blood flow (a.k.a. pulmonary embolism). DVT doesn't cause heart attack or stroke.Pulmonary embolism causes shortness of breath, chest pain and collapse. Depending on the severity and number of clots, pulmonary embolism can result in death.
Who's at risk for DVT?
Approximately one in 1,000 adults develop DVT annually.
According to the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) Research of the Global Hazards of Travel Project, DVT risk factors include:
- Age
- Excess weight
- Height (6'3" or taller)
- Recent surgery (especially on the hips or knees)
- Estrogen therapy (or estrogen mimics such as tamoxifen)
- Family history of blood clots
- Chronic medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, cancer)
What's the link between DVT and travel?
The WHO study also indicated that DVT risk doubles after travel lasting four hours or more.
Why? Clots are more likely to form when blood isn't circulating properly, and prolonged immobilization strains circulation.
As you know, cramped seats and narrow aisles leave little room for movement and stretching.
What are DVT's symptoms?
According to the Mayo Clinic, common DVT symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, heat and redness in the affected area (e.g., calf, foot, ankle or thigh). You may feel cramps (much like a charley horse) in your calf.
Although long trips will oftentimes result in some swelling in both legs, DVT symptoms are typically more marked in one leg than the other.
When individuals develop clots in their arms, neck or pelvis, swelling and loss of motion may be the first symptoms.
For all types of DVT, symptoms may be immediate or may begin up to four weeks after clot formation.
According to the American Heart Association, well over half of those with DVT are asymptomatic. Their clots may not be detected unless the clots affect the lungs.
Mayo Clinic recommendation: contact your medical provider if you experience DVT symptoms, and if you experience symptoms of pulmonary embolism (shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting), seek immediate medical attention.
How can I protect myself from DVT?
First and foremost, move your legs to keep blood flowing. According to Merck, you should flex and extend your ankles 10 times every 30 minutes. The London Times' medical expert Dr. Thomas Stuttaford recommends that everyone get out of their seats every 40 minutes.
Keeping hydrated also prevents clot formation. Water is best.
Use graduated compression support socks. These stockings, which narrow veins and allow blood to flow more rapidly, can prevent DVT if worn correctly. Yet, they aren't a substitute for keeping those legs moving. Have your medical provider recommend the stocking pressure (mmHg) that's right for you.
Already taking blood thinners? Watch how much vitamin K you're eating. Vitamin K counteracts the effects of drugs such as warfarin. (Foods high in vitamin K include green leafy vegetables and canola and soybean oils.) Yet, your body needs some vitamin K in consistent levels. Ask your medical provider to help you determine the right levels of vitamin K for your medication.
These tips are a start, but make sure you ask your medical provider about your DVT risk before you travel and plan accordingly.
Fortunately, DVT's treatable if caught early. Happy travels!
For more information, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's) DVT website
Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of the Rural Health Partnership at WellFlorida Council.
