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Free booze, early boarding and extra pillows may not be the only perks of first class travel.
Colloquially known as “economy class syndrome,” deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein near the center of the body, making it harder to locate and access.
DVT can develop at any time, but long-haul flights and cramped coach seats can increase the risk.
The blockage forms due to a lack of vigorous blood flow, often caused by prolonged sitting. As the clot forms, many people experience sharp pain and swelling near the site.
It is estimated that approximately 1 million Americans will develop DVT each year and up to 100,000 will die from it.
Dr. Pinakin V. Parekh, a cardiologist at the Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre in Singapore, tells CNBC that where you sit on a plane can affect your risk of developing DVT. “Theoretically, people who fly in higher classes (business class, first class) have more room to move around and stretch their legs. So it’s all about space on the plane.”
Although it’s been dubbed “economy class syndrome,” Dr. Parekh notes that DVT doesn’t discriminate and is more about mobility than cabin class, “it may be the only flight of your life, if you decide not to move.”
In addition to air travel, an increased risk of DVT is associated with equally long periods of sedentary time. A young gamer in England died after spending hours playing video games during the COVID-19 lockdown.
DVT affects the deepest veins in your body, usually in your legs or pelvis, but it can also affect your arms. Symptoms of DVT include swelling, pain, warmth, and changes in skin color, according to the Mayo Clinic.
However, some people who develop this disease have no symptoms.
If left untreated, DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism. This often fatal condition is caused by a blood clot breaking off and traveling to the lungs, blocking the pulmonary artery and reducing oxygen in the blood.
Dr. Robert Lookstein, professor of radiology and vice chairman of interventional services at Mount Sinai Health System, told the Post: “Ten to 30 percent of pulmonary embolisms do not survive. They are associated with significant mortality.”
There are a number of risk factors associated with DVT, such as obesity, smoking, pregnancy, heart disease, certain medications, and hormonal treatments such as birth control.
However, flying is a risk factor in itself.
“The stereotype is the person who drinks a double latte, sits in economy class on a plane across the country, drinks a scotch, falls asleep and wakes up seven hours later,” Dr. Lookstein said. “They haven’t moved, they’re severely dehydrated and they have a blood clot.”
According to Dr. Lookstein, the combination of inaction, dehydration and confined space puts the air traveler at particular risk.
Dr Parekh says long-haul flights pose the greatest risk of DVT, but people with shorter journeys are not immune. “People used to define long-haul flights as eight hours,” he said, “but there is some evidence that even four hours is now considered long enough.”
Although the risk cannot be completely eliminated, Dr. Lookstein says it can be mitigated.
“The rule of thumb I give my patients is this: Whenever you’re traveling, you should get up and move about every two hours. If you’re driving a car, you should stop, walk around, and grab a bottle of water. Anything longer than a few hours is bad for your health, especially if you’re in a cramped space like a compact car or an economy class seat.”
The Mayo Clinic also suggests doing circles around your ankles while sitting, drinking plenty of water and wearing compression stockings while flying.
For travelers who can’t afford first class, Parekh suggests choosing an aisle seat, which “encourages you to get up and start walking around a lot easier, because when you’re all the way inside the row, you’re always worried about disturbing the passenger.” [next to you].”
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