Know the signs of DVT

Facts about pulmonary embolism Nine out of 10 cases of pulmonary embolism are caused by blood clots that form in the legs and then travel to the lungs. More than 600,000 people in the United States have a pulmonary embolism each year, and more than 10 percent of them die from it. Most who die do so within 30 to 60 minutes after symptoms start. Pulmonary embolism occurs equally in men and women. The risk of having a pulmonary embolism doubles for each 10 years after age 60.

Besides being boring, sitting in a car, a plane, or a train for long periods of time can put you at increased risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), also known as a blood clot. If a blood clot breaks free, it can travel to your brain, lungs, heart, or other area, severely damaging that organ. 

Any long period of immobility — such as being bedridden from illness, recovering from surgery, or sitting for extended periods while traveling — is a risk factor for DVT and pulmonary embolism, says the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. DVT can also develop in other instances when the blood flow in the legs is restricted and slows down. Restricted flow may occur with certain types of cancer and cancer treatment, oral contraceptives, obesity, inherited clotting disorders, pregnancy, cigarette smoking, and damage to the veins following injury or orthopedic surgery.

Deep venous thrombosis is most common in adults over age 60, but it can occur in any age group.

Symptoms include:

• Pain in one leg
  
• Tenderness in one leg
• Swelling of one leg
  
• Increased warmth in one leg
  
• Change in color of one leg

It’s important to know the signs of DVT, because if a piece of the blood clot breaks off and goes into the lungs (a condition called pulmonary embolism), it can cause death.

If you have a long trip planned, follow these tips for traveling:

• Don’t wear socks with tight elastic bands at the top.
  
• Don’t sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
  
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  
• Wear compression stockings, which put gentle pressure on the leg muscles. Studies in healthy people have shown that wearing compression stockings minimizes the risk of developing DVT after long flights, according to the American Heart Association.
  
• Reduce alcohol and coffee consumption.
  
• When traveling by plane, keep moving your legs to help blood flow. If you have a layover, don’t immediately find somewhere to sit. Walk around to stimulate blood flow.
• When traveling by car, stop every few hours. Get out, walk a bit, and stretch.
  
• While seated, exercise your legs by curling or pressing the toes down, which causes the muscles to contract and squeeze on the leg veins, helping to pump the blood along.