Dvt can you fly

However, a serious health problem can occur when a part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs causing a blockage.

This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it may be fatal. The good news is there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of blood clots during a long-distance trip. Even if you travel a long distance, the risk of developing a blood clot is generally very small.

Your level of risk depends on the duration of travel as well as whether you have any other risks for blood clots. Most people who develop travel-associated blood clots have one or more other risks for blood clots, such as:.

The combination of long-distance travel with one or more of these risks may increase the likelihood of developing a blood clot. The more risks you have, the greater your chances of experiencing a blood clot. If you plan on traveling soon, talk with your doctor to learn more about what you can do to protect your health. Blood clots can cause problems for anyone , but certain people are particularly at risk. If there is a history of strokes in your family or any close relatives, think about checking with your doctor if your genetics put you at any greater risk.

The reason surgery in general can cause a blood clot, is that large blood vessels can be damaged during surgery. Inevitably, being pregnant places extra pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs, increasing the clot risk.

This remains for around six weeks after birth. Certain cancers can cause tissue damage that triggers clotting. Some types of chemotherapy also make clotting more likely. The main risk if from any medicine containing sex hormones, which includes the contraceptive pill and Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT. As with pregnancy, carrying increased weight places pressure on the veins in the legs and pelvis, thus increasing the risk of clotting. This particularly applies to endurance athletes, such as triathletes and marathon runners, who get clots more easily due to injury and dehydration.

Following the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, you are now expected to wear a face mask in public spaces. They should also continue taking any prescribed blood thinning medication.

A person should discuss their risk with a doctor to determine whether they can take any steps to help prevent DVT from occurring during their flight. A person should seek emergency medical care if they experience any symptoms of PE. No one should travel with an untreated PE. If a person experiences symptoms of a PE during a flight, they should let the flight crew know. An emergency landing may be necessary so that the person can get appropriate medical care.

DVT is not usually very dangerous, but if a portion of the clot breaks free, it can travel to the lungs and become a PE. If this occurs, more severe symptoms will likely ensue, and a person will need to seek emergency medical treatment. A person who remains sedentary while traveling for longer than 4 hours has a higher risk of developing DVT, particularly if they have other risk factors.

Learn all about deep vein thrombosis DVT - the formation of a blood clot thrombus in a deep vein in the leg. Read about the causes, symptoms and…. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which supplies blood to the lungs.

These embolisms affect an estimated 1 in 1, people…. Blood clots are a major public health concern. This article looks at the symptoms of blood clots by location, how to prevent them, risk factors, and…. A blood clot in the arm can be a dangerous health problem. If the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can block the flow of blood there…. How long after a flight can DVT occur? I had DVT - is it safe to fly again? How long after DVT can I fly?

Your doctor will be able to tell you whether this will be a few weeks or a few months. Does the cause of my DVT affect the risk of suffering another episode? What else can I do to reduce my risk? Flying after a pulmonary embolism If your DVT developed into a pulmonary embolism, you will likely be taking anticoagulants following your treatment.

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