Travel plans for the holidays? Protect yourself against DVT

The holiday travel season is here and visiting loved ones is on many of our calendars. While celebrating is at the forefront, it’s important to be mindful that long car rides and flights can pose risks for those who are likely to develop blood clots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that as many as 900,000 people in the United States are affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolisms (PE) each year.

Melissa Norris, APRN

“DVTs occur when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, which is part of the system that takes care of the majority of our blood flow,” said Melissa Norris, APRN, a nurse practitioner with the LMH Health Wound Healing Center.

These clots usually form in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis, and can also occur in the arm. They become dangerous if a portion breaks off and lodges in other parts of the body, including the lungs.

Know the risks

When you sit still for a long period of time, your risk of developing a blood clot increases. People who travel long distances can be at risk, especially those who stay still for four hours or more.

“It’s important to be aware of your risk factors. Many people who develop DVT due to travel have other risks for developing blood clots,” Norris said.

These risks include:

• Sedentary lifestyle or limited mobility
• Recent surgery or injury
• Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives
• Current or recent pregnancy
• Smoking
• Previous blood clot or a family history of clots
• Chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart or lung disease

Talk with your doctor if you have any of these risk factors and plan on long-distance travel.

Know the signs

While DVT usually occurs in the lower extremities, about half of the people who have it don’t show symptoms. When caught early, DVT is treatable. The most common symptoms are:

• Swelling in the extremity
• Pain or tenderness
• Increased warmth in the area that’s swollen or painful
• Redness of the skin

If you have any of these symptoms, Norris said that it’s important to check in with your doctor.

“Your doctor may want to order a DVT study to rule out a clot. The DVT study consists of an ultrasound to check the flow of your deep venous system to make sure one hasn’t formed,” she explained. 

DVT can lead to more serious consequences

Amanda Gudgell, DO

If you’re having a sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, extreme swelling, coughing up blood or you lose consciousness, head straight to the emergency department. You may have developed something more serious, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE).

“A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs,” said Amanda Gudgell, DO, a pulmonologist with Lawrence Pulmonary Specialists. “In many cases, it’s caused by blood clots that result from DVT.”

Treating a PE promptly is essential. In most cases, the clots are small but if the embolism is big enough, you may need oxygen and be admitted to the hospital.

“We use blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent more clots from forming,” Dr. Gudgell explained. “We may also prescribe thrombolytics to dissolve the clots.”

If the clot becomes too large and stops blood flow to the lung, it can become deadly. According to the CDC estimates, up to 100,000 of those affected by DVT or PE die each year. 

Lower your risk and protect yourself

The good news is there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of developing DVT. Dr. Gudgell recommends staying as active as possible, even while traveling.

“If you’re going on a long car or plane ride, get up and move every hour or two. Getting up and moving can make a world of difference,” she said.

If you aren’t able to get up or want to add movement, exercise your legs while you’re in your seat. Raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor. Then raise and lower your toes with your heels on the floor. Tighten and release your leg muscles and stretch your legs in front of you as much as possible.

You should also speak with your doctor and learn other ways to reduce your risk. This might include wearing compression stockings, staying hydrated by drinking lots of water and taking medications as prescribed.

“Detecting DVT and PE early can prevent complications and death,” Norris said. “If something feels off, call your doctor or go to the Emergency Department. Don’t just let it go.”