Our vein clinic in Orlando, Florida Vein Care, is here to educate you about varicose veins, and one thing to take into consideration is the very real and present danger of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if you spend long periods of time flying, driving, or even travelling by train.
Our circulatory system is a complicated network comprised of the heart, veins and arteries carrying blood to and from the heart. Arteries pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, and veins return blood back to the heart. Valves work with the vessels to control flow, and in essence, help maintain pressure. A mobile creature by design, the human body requires us to be active in order to maintain the delicate balance within our circulatory system and promote its optimal performance.
When we travel, our bodies are, for the most part, immobile. Just think about how cramped you felt the last time you flew or drove in a compact car. The longer we remain stationery, the greater the chance that the blood-flow in our legs becomes diminished, which in turn increases the chances of developing blood clots. Clots can develop even in the healthiest of people when they have experienced long periods of stasis. If you are a person who already has varicose veins, who smokes, who is pregnant, who takes birth control pills, or has a family history of blood clots, the risk is even greater that you will develop blood clots while travelling for extended periods of time.
Blood clots can easily loosen and detach from the area of formation and move through the bloodstream eventually landing in the lungs. If the clot blocks a blood vessel in the lung, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can be fatal. In fact, there is a 50/50 survival rate for those who experience a pulmonary embolism. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people in the United States die from PE annually.
There are a few simple measures you can take to help prevent DVT’s from developing:
- Move your feet frequently while traveling.
- Push your heels down and move your toes upward as this will help exercise your calf muscles.
- When appropriate, try to stand and stretch your legs.
- Wear support or compression hose.
If you should experience sudden and severe cramping in your legs, swelling, pain, achy or a heavy feeling in your legs, or shortness of breath while traveling, you should immediately get to the nearest medical facility for diagnosis and treatment!
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please contact our vein clinic in Orlando, Florida Vein Care Center, at 407-805-8989. Dr. Bragg and his staff are here to help.
