Recently there has been a growing awareness of the risk of developing clots in the deep leg veins during prolonged periods of sitting, particularly on long aircraft flights. The clots which form may dislodge without warning and move into the heart and lungs - often resulting in sudden death. This phenomenon has been called the 'ECONOMY CLASS SYNDROME'.
Passengers can take measures to reduce their risk of clotting (thrombosis). The greater their risk, the more measures that are required.
Total your RISK FACTORS in the list below, determine your risk and see what you can do to reduce your risk.
RISK FACTORS:
1 Age 40 years or more
2 Family history of thrombotic event (e.g. DVT, stroke etc)
3 Major surgery or orthopaedic surgery in past 6 weeks
4 Malignancy
5 Hormone therapy (including contraceptive pill)
6 Pregnancy
7 Childbirth in past 6 weeks
8 Polycythaemia vera, leukaemia or similar blood disorder
9 Genetic clotting disorder (e.g. Factor V Leiden, protein C or S deficiency etc)
LOW RISK score 0 or 1 risk factors
Prevention
1 General Advice : Exercise legs during flight and walk around regularly. Maintain hydration (WATER not alcohol!)
MODERATE RISK score 2 risk factors
1 General advice AND
2 Book aisle seat if possible
3 Arrange stopover if possible
4 Wear elastic stockings
5 Consider taking low dose aspirin before flight
HIGH RISK score 3 or more OR history of previous thrombotic event
1 As for MODERATE RISK AND
2 Consider injection of Clexane 20mg (heparin) immediately prior to flight (unless already on warfarin)
[ Information based on "The Travel Doctor" newsletter ]
YOUR TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Click here to go to the Communicable Disease Centre Travel site in Atlanta - for the most recent information on communicable diseases, vaccination requirements and travel advice.
Total your RISK FACTORS in the list below, determine your risk and see what you can do to reduce your risk.
RISK FACTORS:
1 Age 40 years or more
2 Family history of thrombotic event (e.g. DVT, stroke etc)
3 Major surgery or orthopaedic surgery in past 6 weeks
4 Malignancy
5 Hormone therapy (including contraceptive pill)
6 Pregnancy
7 Childbirth in past 6 weeks
8 Polycythaemia vera, leukaemia or similar blood disorder
9 Genetic clotting disorder (e.g. Factor V Leiden, protein C or S deficiency etc)
LOW RISK score 0 or 1 risk factors
Prevention
1 General Advice : Exercise legs during flight and walk around regularly. Maintain hydration (WATER not alcohol!)
MODERATE RISK score 2 risk factors
1 General advice AND
2 Book aisle seat if possible
3 Arrange stopover if possible
4 Wear elastic stockings
5 Consider taking low dose aspirin before flight
HIGH RISK score 3 or more OR history of previous thrombotic event
1 As for MODERATE RISK AND
2 Consider injection of Clexane 20mg (heparin) immediately prior to flight (unless already on warfarin)
[ Information based on "The Travel Doctor" newsletter ]
YOUR TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Click here to go to the Communicable Disease Centre Travel site in Atlanta - for the most recent information on communicable diseases, vaccination requirements and travel advice.
