How to avoid “traveller’s thrombosis” or “economy class syndrome”?
When sitting for long periods of time, the risk of thrombosis increases. This serious condition is also known as “traveller’s thrombosis” or “economy class syndrome” and refers to a blood clot formation in the deep leg veins caused by prolonged sitting with bent legs and restricted leg mobility while traveling by plane, bus, train, or car.
Under normal conditions, the leg muscles serve as a pump system that supports the venous return from the feet to the heart. If leg movement is limited, the activity of the leg muscle pumps is restricted and the blood starts to stagnate in the leg veins. This increases the risk for the development of a thrombotic event. This risk is further increased due to prolonged sitting which leads to a compression of the leg veins.
A DVT can happen to anyone during travel, but certain risk factors like advanced age, heart insufficiency, obesity, pregnancy, intake of hormonal products for contraception or menopause, recent surgeries, and large varicose veins further increase the risk of DVT.
Unfortunately symptoms of “traveller’s thrombosis” often only occur a few days or even weeks after your trip.
Traveller’s thrombosis is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. In the worst cases, blood clots will detach and migrate to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially fatal event.
Compression wear can help prevent leg symptoms, like tired, heavy, and swollen legs, and traveler’s thrombosis.
