Can flying cause blood clots?

Blood clots can sometimes form in your legs during air travel because you are immobile for long periods of time, often sitting in cramped spaces with little leg room. The clinical term for this type of blood clot is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The longer the flight, the more at risk you are for developing a clot.



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Even if you travel a long distance, the risk of developing a blood clot is generally very small. Your level of risk depends on the duration of travel as well as whether you have any other risks for blood clots.

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Anything out of the ordinary within a week or two after a long flight—leg pain, achiness, heaviness in your leg, swelling—could be a blood clot.

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The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body (usually the leg or arm): Swelling of your leg or arm. Pain or tenderness that you can't explain. Skin that is warm to the touch.

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Prevent Blood Clots During Travel
  1. Stand up or walk occasionally. ...
  2. Exercise your calf muscles and stretch your legs while you're sitting. ...
  3. Talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings or taking medicine before departure if you have additional risk factors for blood clots.


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recent operation or injury where trapped air or gas may be present in the body (e.g. stomach ,bowel, eyes, face, brain) severe long term diseases that affect your breathing. breathlessness at rest. unresolved pneumothorax (punctured lung)

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Compression socks prevent swelling
Being able to stand up and walk around or stretching is limited on a plane; therefore, promoting blood circulation is necessary. “Compression socks help to increase circulation, thus preventing swelling in your lower legs and feet,” he explains.

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There has been considerable attention focused recently on the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) associated with air travel. Despite the lack of evidence among air travelers, a single dose of aspirin has been widely recommended as a means of preventing such thrombosis.

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What Effects Does Long-Haul Flying Have On The Human Body?
  • Jet lag. Indeed, the most common symptom of a long-haul journey is jet lag. ...
  • Fatigue. Another common side effect of being airborne for long periods is mild fatigue. ...
  • Ear, nose, and gut problems. Pressurization doesn't just affect oxygen levels. ...
  • Dehydrated skin.


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Sitting on a plane for many hours not only allows blood to pool, but it also puts your knees at an angle that makes the veins inside them kink up. Just as water doesn't flow easily through a kinked-up garden hose, blood can't flow as well through a vein that has a kink.

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