How to prevent Blood Clots in the Leg on Long Distance Trips

December 22nd 2005

Long Trips can be dangerous to your health, according to UK Department of Transportation.  Prolonged immobility can hasten the formation of blood clots.  The study investigated air travel incidences and found one DVT (deep vein thrombosis) case in 6000 journeys that lasted four hours or more.

The report said that these clots are more common in people that stay in the hospital than people that travel.  Forbes reports UK transportation minister Karen Buch said the “research project has shown that DVT can occur in any form of travel where people remain seated for a long time”.  Long trips in the car can be just as dangerous. 

The longer the journey the more likely an embolism will develop.  Pregnant women are at a greater risk of developing a leg blood clot.  Also, older people, those with a hereditary blood condition, tall people and women using contraceptive pills are more likely to develop DVT.

The participants in the study were all of “working age”.  According to the Times Online "Every year, DVT occurs in about 1-3 per 1,000 people in the general population, ranging from fewer than 1 in 3,000 in people under the age of 40 up to 1 in 500 in those over 80. In all incidences of DVT, travel related or otherwise, only 1 per cent of cases prove to be fatal."

To avoid an embolism it is important to take breaks from sitting.  Experts recommend moving your feet around and get up and walk around as much as possible.  Drink a reasonable amount of water or non-alcoholic beverage to avoid dehydration. 

Funding for the project was provided by the Department for Transport, the Department of Health and the European Commission, and carried out by a consortium of medical research scientists under the auspices of the World Health Organization.

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