Should I do aspirin or compression socks to prevent blood clots for long flight?

It's suggested that high-risk travelers wear properly fitted, below-knee compression stockings while in flight. Preventive blood thinners or aspirin are not recommended for long-distance travelers.



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Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.

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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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“Although long distance air travel increases the risk of DVT, the risk is still low. Patients who are at higher baseline risk for DVT or PE should wear compression stockings to reduce their risk of DVT, especially for long flights,” said Dr.

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Talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings or taking medicine before departure if you have additional risk factors for blood clots. Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended.

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Talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings or taking medicine before departure if you have additional risk factors for blood clots. Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.

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Yes, really. Your grandmother and marathon runners are on to something. These stockings help increase circulation and reduce the risk of swelling or worse deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and clotting on a long flight.

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The general rule of thumb is that class 1 (18-21 mmHg) stockings are best for healthy veins that just need a bit of extra assistance on a flight, while class 2-4 (23-49+ mmHg) are more suited to those struggling with venous and lymphatic disorders.

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Tips for improving blood circulation on a plane
  • Wear compression socks. Compression socks work wonders on the plane! ...
  • Keep hydrated. Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your blood circulation in top shape, especially during a flight. ...
  • Wear loose clothing. ...
  • Choose a seat with additional legroom. ...
  • Improve your fitness.


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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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Increasing leg muscle activity during long periods of sitting improves blood flow in the legs. This may include walk- ing around the cabin or exercising your lower legs and ankles while seated. Drinking adequate fluids, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine, may also help by preventing dehydration.

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Anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin (also called Coumadin), slow down your body's process of making clots. Antiplatelets, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot.

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Compression socks help deter potential blood clots They work to stimulate circulation in the lower half, which is especially useful during long flights when you're sitting for prolonged periods.

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Graduated compression stockings or socks are usually recommended for flights that last longer than 3 hours, as this is when you will start to suffer physical health issues. For short flights, you only need to wear mild compression socks with a lower compression level.

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