Sitting still for hours in an airline seat can increase your risk of blood clots, or deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). If a piece of a blood clot breaks off and moves to another part of the body, such as the lungs or the heart, serious complications can result. Especially on longer flights, it’s important to keep the blood moving by getting up and moving as often as possible. Walk up and down the aisle to get the blood flowing in your legs. While sitting in your seat, stretch arms and legs as much and as often as possible. You are at greater risk of blood clot If you are a:
- Smoker
- Pregnant female
- Person suffering reduced mobility
- Cancer patient
- Recovering from bone or abdominal surgery
The best way to reduce risk is to break the long trip into two shorter flights with an overnight hotel stay. If that is not possible, make a point of using frequent walking and stretching to keep your blood moving. Wear loose clothing to allow maximum movement, so you can change positions in your seat. Drink as much water as you can to increase your hydration.