Thanksgiving is one of the most busiest holidays for travel, whether it’s taking a road trip or a plane flight. Sitting for several hours in a car or plane can lead to deep-vein thrombosis (DVT).
DVT’s can form in the legs when blood pools and clots from prolonged sitting. Movement is important for circulation in the legs. The contraction and relaxation of the leg muscles helps pump blood back to the heart.
DVT’s are a serious problem and can easily lead to death if not detected early and proper treatment given. The clot from the leg can travel to the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). The combination of DVT’s and PE is currently the third leading cause of cardiovascular-related deaths in the U.S. resulting in 100,000 deaths annually.1,2
The sign that you may have a DVT in your leg are a red, swollen area that is tender to the touch. The most common area is the calf. The signs that you may be having a PE are: difficult breathing or hyperventilating, dizziness, anxiety, chest pain, cough, sweating, or shock.
To help prevent DVTs from happening on a long road trip, take several breaks and get out of the car. Walk and stretch your back and leg muscles. On a plane, get up often, walk, and stretch. If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, seek emergency treatment as soon as possible.
1. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Rockville, MD: Office of Surgeon General; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2008
2. Goldhaber SZ, Bounanmeaux H. Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis. Lancet, 2012 April 10;379(9828): 1835-1846