Take precautions on long flights

A dear friend of mine passed away suddenly on Saturday. It is believed that she suffered a pulmonary embolism, a blockage caused by a blood clot that could have developed during a very long flight from Asia a few days before. She was fit, in good health, had no cardiac or pulmonary issues. There was no warning. I am told this might have been prevented if she had taken an aspirin before the flight and once a day in the few days after the fight. Some medical professionals also recommend pressure stockings, keeping well hydrated, and particularly, getting up and moving during a flight. I am just posting this here because this is something that should be so easy to prevent if people only knew the risk.

I'm so sorry for your loss of a friend.

Sarah I am sorry for your loss.

Thanks for reaching out here with good advice.

I, too, am sorry for your loss. But please check with your doctor first before starting an aspirin regimen. I did this once (a baby aspirin once a day) and it thinned my blood too much. My doctor blew a gasket when he heard I did this and said never, ever, do this without your doctor's OK.

I'm sorry for your loss, Sarah. Thanks for posting. I try to walk the aisle a bit during long flights but that can be difficult on crowded and narrow planes.

I am so sorry, Sarah!

A friend of my wife had a similar issue (she survived, thankfully). Thirty, good health - not even that long of a flight (NY-SF) but she spent it hunched over a laptop.

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder to take precautions, even for those of us who do not consider ourselves to be at risk for DVT.

The former minister of the church I used to attend in Millburn had this happen on a flight when his family went on vacation. He recovered, but it is a scary thing.

If you can't walk up and down the aisles, head for the back of the plane and stand there for awhile, walking slowly in place. Or, if you are stuck in your seat, raise and lower your knees as if you are walking in a seated position. Keep the blood circulating, whatever it takes. And stay hydrated.

Sarah, I am so sorry for your loss. What a dreadful shock and sorrow.

Sorry to hear this, I had a similar event with a friend who passed in January 2013 after a weekend to London.

I wear the stockings and take a preventative aspirin before each flight and upon landing if more than 3 hours. Also aisle seat and walk around if possible every 90 minutes. Of course, the walking part doesn't always happen due to flight constraints.

Also be good to know the warning signs for DVT which can be found through a doctor or online through Mayo or another reputable source.

Sarah - I'm so sorry to hear this and for your loss.

Note that apparently the CDC does not routinely recommend aspirin for this purpose. (see http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/deep-vein-thrombosis-pulmonary-embolism.)

I suspect that is a matter of risk vs benefit and might vary depending upon the individual. So, probably best to consult your doctor before including aspirin or other medication in a prevention routine.

This danger exists on long car trips too. A former co-worker was on an 8 hr drive to visit relatives, and ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks. She was out of work for close to 6 weeks.

Sarahzm, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your friend. Not too long ago, I recall a post here on MOL regarding the same issue. There are exercises individuals can do while in the sitting position traveling for extended periods. Even world class athletes can be at risk for this condition. They travel for extended periods and their heart rates tend to be lower.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/basketball/athletes-vulnerable-to-blood-clot-condition-that-m/nkFyB/

Again, so sorry to hear such shocking news about your dear friend and colleague.

After a transatlantic flight back in my twenties, I developed a DVT as an offshoot result of a twisted ankle on Paris' cobblestones. I can never spend more than 2-3 hours sitting without stopping for a movement break. And now that the rest of my body protests sitting too long, it really is a necessity.