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Sports Information
Tim Hentzel, 26, a competitive triathlete, was recently diagnosed with DVT, deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the leg, after a flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco. His life has been difficult since then, revolving around pain, swelling, warfarin (rat poison) tablets, and blood tests.
Medical journals report that, during air travel, blood flow slows down, especially in the lower legs, and coagulability rises hour by hour. Blood clots form in the calves of about 5% of air travelers. Clots can cause pain and swelling. If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can cause pain, fainting, and death. Athletic people are at greater risk because, with lower resting blood flow to the large muscles, they are more prone to stasis, stagnant blood subject to clotting. A large majority of air travel thrombosis victims contacting Airhealth.org are athletic, usually endurance-type athletes like marathoners. No other risk factor comes close. Age is supposed to be a risk factor for DVT, but 83% of these victims are under age 60.
Experts recommend wearing compression stockings and flexing the legs at thirty minute intervals. For people at higher risk, such as athletes, flexing more frequently is advisable. Don't confuse compression stockings with support stockings. Support stockings may actually be harmful. Compression stockings are graduated with much greater pressure at the ankle.
The injury often feels like a muscle cramp and is usually misdiagnosed, aggravating the injury and increasing the risk of death. Tips on recognizing symptoms and avoiding misdiagnosis are available in a free Leaflet at www.airhealth.org. There are no strings; no advertising and no plea for contributions.
Medical journals report that, during air travel, blood flow slows down, especially in the lower legs, and coagulability rises hour by hour. Blood clots form in the calves of about 5% of air travelers. Clots can cause pain and swelling. If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can cause pain, fainting, and death. Athletic people are at greater risk because, with lower resting blood flow to the large muscles, they are more prone to stasis, stagnant blood subject to clotting. A large majority of air travel thrombosis victims contacting Airhealth.org are athletic, usually endurance-type athletes like marathoners. No other risk factor comes close. Age is supposed to be a risk factor for DVT, but 83% of these victims are under age 60.
Experts recommend wearing compression stockings and flexing the legs at thirty minute intervals. For people at higher risk, such as athletes, flexing more frequently is advisable. Don't confuse compression stockings with support stockings. Support stockings may actually be harmful. Compression stockings are graduated with much greater pressure at the ankle.
The injury often feels like a muscle cramp and is usually misdiagnosed, aggravating the injury and increasing the risk of death. Tips on recognizing symptoms and avoiding misdiagnosis are available in a free Leaflet at www.airhealth.org. There are no strings; no advertising and no plea for contributions.
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