- Risks
The main risks are from
dehydration and immobility. Long
haul flights (>4 hours) are more
dangerous than short haul
flights.
- Avoid tea, coffee,
caffeine, alcohol and gaseous
drinks.
- Drink plenty of fresh
water. Often easier to take your
own bottled water with you.
- Exercise during the
flight to keep the blood in your
legs flowing. If unable to walk
around then move feet back and
forth to exercise your calf
muscles.
- Aspirin has not been
shown to prevent DVT and is not
usually recommended for the
prevention of DVT during air
travel.
- Wear compression
stockings during the flight.
These can be purchased in local
chemists.
- If you are at very high
risk of developing a DVT during
a flight please consult your
doctor. Occasionally heparin
injections may be advised if
there are no risk factors to
contraindicate this. Please plan
this well in advance and note
these injections are not covered
by an NHS prescription.
To open a copy of this
information please
click here.
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