The term 'economy class syndrome' refers to the occurrence of thrombotic events during long-haul flights that mainly occur in passengers in the economy class of the aircraft.
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The economy class syndrome is directly related to immobility for long periods during which blood pools in the legs, raising the risk of clot formation. The tendency to immobility is often compounded by the fasten-seat belt sign, the presence of carts in the aisles, etc.
Traveller's thrombosis (economy class syndrome) is a condition that occurs when you have to sit in the same position for a long time, such as when on an airplane. Traveller's Thrombosis can occur if you stay in the same position for a long time without much movement.
Economy class syndrome is a popular term used to describe deep vein thrombosis when it occurs in air travellers on long haul flights. In deep vein thrombosis, a large cylindrical blood clot forms in a vein of the leg.
Sitting in roomier first class seats won't lower the risk of developing DVT, but sitting in an aisle seat will, according to the American College of Chest Physicians.
More passengers are being crammed into tight quarters in airplane cabins—especially in economy class. Worse yet, the seats are getting smaller. In some cases, they've shrunk by several inches, according to Forbes. Too-small seats aren't just uncomfortable; they may also be unsafe.
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.
Symptoms of DVT may be silent or present as a deep pain in one calf or thigh (with swelling). PE may also be silent but symptoms may include sharp chest pain, breathlessness, bloody sputum, and cardiac collapse in some cases. DVT or PE may manifest during or shortly after the flight, but often not for several weeks.
Factors that contribute to the increased risk of travel-related DVT include obesity, extremes of height, use of oral contraceptives and pre-existing blood clotting abnormalities. The absolute risk of DVT in healthy passengers per long-haul flight (more than 4 hours) was found to be about 1 in 6000.
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.