Travel Alert - Deadly Blood Clots when Flying

Sitting in cramped seats for extended periods – on airplanes, or even during long car rides – can increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms deep in the leg veins and can travel to the heart or lungs, causing death.

But the overall risk (for the average person) is very small: one episode of DVT per 40,000 airplane flights. Travelers who are at greater risk include those who are elderly , obese, pregnant, taking certain birth control pills, or have a history of heart disease or DVT.

To play it safe, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding diuretics such as alcohol and coffee before and during your flight. Dehydration can cause blood to thicken, increasing your risk of clots.

Try to get out of your seat and stretch at least once an hour to increase blood flow. And if you have any risk factors, ask your doctor about taking an aspirin before your flight to prevent clotting.