How To Prevent DVT, a Dangerous Blood Clot That’s More Common During Holiday Travel
Plus see the symptoms to watch for and when to seek urgent care
Picture this: You’re finally settled into your seat for that long flight (or drive!) home, excited to spend time with loved ones. But hours of sitting still, especially during holiday travel, could be putting your health at serious risk in a way you might not expect. Doctors warn that extended sitting—whether on planes, in cars or at airports—creates dangerous conditions for a common but often overlooked health threat: deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The good news? Simple steps can protect you. Here’s what every traveler needs to know about how to prevent DVT.
What is DVT?
Behind heart attacks and strokes, DVT is the third most common vascular disease, per the Cleveland Clinic.
“Deep vein thrombosis [or] (DVT) happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg,” says William P. Shutze, MD, vascular surgeon at Texas Vascular Associates in Dallas and Plano, Texas and former Executive Board member and Secretary of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). “This clot in the veins can slow or block blood flow and cause pain or swelling.It can even potentially move to the heart and lungs, causing serious harm and even death.”
Woman's World Answers
What causes DVT?
“DVT is caused by a blood clot that forms as a result of a combination of circulation issues from slow or reduced blood flow, damage to the vein lining (such as from inflammation) and blood that is ‘thicker’ than normal,” says Dr. Shutze.
Dr. Shutze says anyone can develop deep vein thrombosis, though certain factors and medical conditions can increase a person’s risk. These include:
- Sitting still for long periods of time
- Recently undergoing surgery or having an injury, especially in the stomach or legs
- Damage to a vein from a broken bone or muscle injury
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Having cancer or undergoing cancer treatment
- Pregnancy or recent childbirth
- Hormone therapy, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
- A family history of blood clots
- Inherited clotting disorders
8 DVT symptoms to watch for
Part of preventing DVTis knowing the symptoms of the condition to watch for. “DVT symptoms like leg pain and soreness are sometimes dismissed as normal signs of aging or minor issues, especially when they improve with rest,” says Dr. Shutze. Warning signs include:
- Swelling in one leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg that worsens when standing or walking
- Warmth or redness on the skin of the leg
- Skin that appears bluish
- Veins that look larger, feel tender or feel firm to the touch
- A heavy or tired feeling in the leg
- Fever
- Non-specific, general discomfort
“These symptoms are caused by reduced blood flow back to the heart from the limb and inflammation from the blood clot,” says Dr. Shutze. (Learn more about DVT symptoms here.)
How to prevent DVT with 4 easy tips
If you’re hitting the roads (or friendly skies) for a long trip, these smart strategies can go a long way toward preventing deep vein thrombosis.
Move every two hours
For those driving, pencil in regular pit spots to get out of the car and stretch your legs for a few minutes (the perfect time to refill your gas or grab some snacks at a convenience store. If you’re flying your flight gets delayed and you’re stuck in the airport, use the time as an opportunity to get some movement in. And when the seat belt sign on the plane is turned off, consider taking an extra walk to the bathroom.
“To ensure proper circulation, especially in your legs, I recommend getting up and walking around every two hours, if possible,” says Dr. Shutze. “Even slight movements in your legs or toes can help—such as ankle circles, foot pumps or walking the aisle when safe. This promotes blood flow and prevents stasis (pooling) in the veins, a key factor in clot formation.”
“Choose an aisle seat for easier movement if possible,” adds Dr. Shutze.
Wear compression stockings or socks
“Compression socks can be particularly helpful for long travel as they promote blood flow in your legs, pumping blood back to your heart (vs. pooling near your legs),” says Dr. Shutze. “They are available at most retailers and come in different sizes and strengths (15 to 30 mmHg [the amount of pressure in compression socks] is common for travel). They are most effective when worn during the entirety of your travel.”
“For flights [or drives] longer than four to six hours, evidence has shown graduated compression socks (15 to 30 mmHg) to significantly reduce the risk of DVT,” adds Tonie Reincke, MD, an interventional radiologist specializing in minimally invasive, image-guided therapies. (Learn more about the benefits of compression socks.)
Stay hydrated
Coffee is a go-to for early morning flights and drives, but waiting until after you arrive at your destination may better support your health.
“Drink lots of water throughout your travel,” says Dr. Shutze. “Avoid excess alcohol and caffeine, as they contribute to dehydration. Dehydration can increase your risk of blood clots by thickening your blood, making it more likely to clot. Proper hydration keeps blood flowing smoothly.”
Maintain a healthy weight
“Being overweight is a common risk factor for DVT because it decreases the blood flow back to your heart, creating a higher risk for blood pooling or clots in your legs,” says Dr. Shutze. “The inflammation associated with being overweight also makes blood more likely to clot. Getting the proper exercise and eating a balanced diet can support circulation, which decreases the risk for DVT.”
If you’re like us, that’s often easier said than done. If you need help getting started on your weight-loss journey, check out our round-up of expert- and science-backed advice to lose weight.
DVT risk rises during the holidays
“Holiday travel could be considered a higher-risk time for DVT due to the increased risk of blood clots,” says Dr. Shutze. “As you travel, you may be sitting or standing for long periods of time, which increases the risk of a blood clot, especially in your legs, which can lead to DVT.”
“All prolonged travel increases the risk of DVT, but travel during the holidays is less predictable and more likely to be accompanied by delays or slowness that make the travel times longer than normal increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis,” adds Dr. Shutze.
When to seek urgent care
“DVT is an emergency and needs fast care to prevent more problems,” says Dr. Shutze. “If part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), a serious condition that can be life-threatening and kills 100,000 people in the U.S. every year. Another long-term complication is post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), which affects 20 to 50 percent of DVT patients and can cause chronic leg pain, swelling, skin changes or ulcers due to vein damage from the clot.”
Dr. Shutze says people should tell their doctor if they have risk factors for DVT, and seek medical attention if they notice swelling, pain, warmth or redness in one leg.
“Seek emergency care immediately if you experience sudden shortness of breath, chest pain (worse with deep breaths), coughing up blood or rapid heart rate—these could indicate a pulmonary embolism,” he adds.
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