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Travel Risk
August 20, 2009 |
“You are now free to move about the cabin.” The next time you fly, you may
want to follow the pilot’s suggestion.
“When you’re at home or when you’re on a long flight, bus ride, train ride, if you
are sitting still and not standing up and squeezing your legs, you can form blood
clots," warns Dr. Sunil Pammi, a pulmonologist with Lee Memorial Health System.
Harvard researchers have found that those who travel more than two hours
in a car
or airplane are at triple the risk of developing blood clots, known as Deep Vein
Thrombosis, or DVT.
“The most common reason we see DVT is because people remain
idle,” adds Dr. Pammi.
Those who fly are at an even greater risk. Higher elevations can sometimes cause
the clots to travel into the lungs, which can then cause strokes or heart attacks.
Dr. Pammi has a few suggestions for travelers, “stand up when the pilot says you’re
free to move about the cabin. If you’re driving, get up every few hours and walk
around, or even while you are sitting there, just squeeze your toes or move your
legs around a bit.”
Researchers also found that women who are pregnant or take birth control are also
at a higher risk. It’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before you take off
on a long trip.
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