Is Air Travel Safe After DVT Treatment?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical problem that happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. While the clot can cause painful symptoms in your leg, the real danger happens if the clot breaks away and travels to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. 

Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening complication of DVT that causes as many as 300,000 deaths every year in the United States.

At Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute, our team helps patients manage DVT so they can make the most of their lives, including traveling for work or pleasure. Here, learn how DVT develops and what you can do to travel safely following treatment.

Quick facts about DVT

Your body contains a vast network of blood vessels: Arteries supply tissues and organs with oxygen-rich blood, and veins carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart. 

Some of those veins are located not far below the skin surface, while others are located deep within your body. DVT happens when a clot forms inside a deeper vein — usually a deep vein located in your leg or pelvis.

Anyone can develop DVT, but it tends to be associated with clot-related risk factors like:

• Older age
• Personal or family history of DVT
• Vein disease, like varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency
• Smoking habit
• Hormone therapy, including hormonal birth control
• Being overweight or obese
• Clotting disorders
• Pregnancy

DVT can also occur when a clot forms following surgery, especially surgery that involves immobility during recovery.

Treating DVT

DVT treatment can vary based on the location of the clot and other factors. Some patients benefit from medications to thin their blood and prevent clotting. For larger, more severe clots, we may use medicines called thrombolytics to break up the clot.

Other clots are better treated with minimally invasive surgery. Thrombectomy is a type of surgery that uses special instruments to access and then break up or remove the clot. 

For some clots, we may decide to place a tiny filter inside a large vein called the inferior vena cava. If the clot breaks away, the filter captures the clot before it has a chance to reach your lungs. 

Many patients use anticoagulant medications as part of a long-term preventive strategy for DVT, either on their own or following more aggressive treatment with blood thinners or minimally invasive surgery.

Traveling after DVT treatment

Now, for the question: Is it safe to travel after DVT treatment? 

The answer typically is yes — but as with any serious medical condition, it’s always a good idea to consult with our team before embarking on any major travel plans. During your visit, we provide you with guidance and tips to prevent complications related to the stresses of travel.

Considerations

Typically, we can treat DVT with minimally invasive techniques, but it’s still important to take some time following treatment to recover. Scheduling a consultation before traveling gives our team a chance to review your condition and ensure you’re ready for your trip.

If you’re taking medication to prevent clots, we can also review your medication regimen and answer any questions you have about the effects of medication. When traveling, keep all medications with you and easily accessible, including during flights.

Stay active during long flights or ground travel. Take breaks to walk and stretch to maintain circulation, and wear compression socks as prescribed.

Finally, be mindful of DVT symptoms, like pain or swelling, so you can seek medical care right away when needed. Carry personal documents, including prescriptions, with you during day trips and excursions in case you need medical care.

Learn more about traveling with DVT

Don’t let DVT keep you from enjoying life to its fullest. To learn more about DVT treatment or what steps you can take to travel safely, request an appointment online today or over the phone with our team at one of our Florida locations, in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City, or Riverview.