5 Tips for Preventing Blood Clots when Traveling

I was diagnosed with a blood clot – the technical term is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT – back in 1999, after a run-of-the-mill road trip and plane flight.

In Britain, it’s known as Long Haul syndrome, and is a much-publicized side effect of travel. I’m not sure why American doctors don’t warn about the possibilities of clots when traveling, but it seems to be less known on this side of the Atlantic.

For me, what felt like a muscle cramp ended up being a serious condition that put me in the hospital for over a week, with a heparin drip (and six months of blood thinners). Here’s what you can do to decrease your risk:

1. If you’re in the car and driving a long distance, stop and walk often. You need to walk around to keep blood from pooling in your legs.

2. When flying, get up and stretch your legs if possible. I always try to get an exit row so I have greater mobility. Again, you need to keep your blood moving. If the attendants discourage you from getting up, try to move your legs around by flexing your feet and ankles.

3. Take a baby aspirin. I’m required to take a baby aspirin every day and I gladly do so, as aspirin has been shown to help with vascular and carido healthy.

4. Wear compression stockings on the plane. They aren’t fashionable, but they do increase blood flow to your legs. You can find them at drug stores such as Rite-Aid and CVS or discount stores such as Wal-Mart. Loose clothing also helps.

5. Stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to blood thickening – which can lead to clots. At the very least, chugging down water will make you get up to use the bathroom, so you’re moving around.

If you’re looking for more travel tips,visit Chris Gray Faust’s website, Chris Around The World, which brings you the latest travel news, as well as hotel and restaurant reviews, destinations guides and more.