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While many other South Africans are boarding long-haul flights for their annual winter breaks, disturbing new research results were released by the World Health Organisation. Preliminary findings show that the risk of so-called venous thromboembolism doubles after travel lasting four hours or more.

The two most common manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of DVT are principally pain, tenderness and swelling.

Swart, who was on a flight from London to South Africa, became aware of pain in his lower right leg during the night. "I told myself that it's probably just a muscle spasm or hypochondria," he told Beeld.

When his plane touched down on Monday, he didn't pay much attention to his leg. But the pain persisted until he finally went for a medical check-up on Wednesday. "The doctor told me that I indeed had thrombosis and that there were two blood clots in my one vein. I must admit that I got quite a fright," Swart said.

Few travellers affected
Although VTE is a dangerous – and potentially fatal condition – the good news is that it affects only a relatively small number of travellers. The absolute risk, if seated and immobile for more than four hours, is about 1 in 6 000.

According to the World Health Organisation, the condition becomes life-threatening when a blood clot in a leg vein breaks off and travels through the body to the lungs where it becomes lodged and blocks blood flow. Symptoms of so-called pulmonary embolism include chest pain and breathing difficulties.

The study showed that plane, train, bus or automobile passengers are at higher risk of VTE when they remain seated and immobile on journeys of more than four hours. This is due to a stagnation of blood in the veins caused by prolonged immobility, which can promote blood clot formation in the veins.

Multiple flights increase risk
People taking multiple flights over a short period of time are also at greater risk. This is because the risk of VTE does not go away completely after a flight is over. The risk remains elevated for about four weeks.

A number of other factors also increase the risk of VTE during travel. These include obesity, being very tall or very short (taller than 1,9m or shorter than 1,6m), use of oral contraceptives, and inherited blood disorders leading to increased clotting tendency.

Exercising the calf muscles with up-and-down movements of the feet and not wearing tight clothing during travel can help to prevent the dangerous condition. – (WHO, Beeld, July 2007)

Read more:
A-Z of deep-vein thrombosis
Are you healthy enough to fly?

 

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