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Can long distance driving cause blood clots?
Most information about blood clots and long-distance travel comes from information that has been gathered about air travel. However, anyone traveling more than four hours, whether by air, car, bus, or train, can be at risk for blood clots.
How do you prevent blood clots when driving long distances?
Tips for reducing risk of blood clots while traveling
- Wear compression stockings.
- Get up and move about whenever possible.
- Periodically pump your legs up and down while seated.
- Drink lots of fluids and wear loose-fitting clothes that do not restrict blood flow.
- Try not to cross your legs for extended periods of time.
Can traveling cause blood clots?
Flying on an airplane can increase your risk for blood clots, and you may need to avoid air travel for a period of time following the diagnosis of a clot. Sitting still for extended periods of time can affect blood circulation and lead to the development of blood clots.
What is the term for a traveling clot?
A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is called a thrombus. A thrombus may also form in your heart. A thrombus that breaks loose and travels from one location in the body to another is called an embolus.
Can exercise dissolve blood clot?
But exercise can help dissolve blood clots. That’s the finding from a new study, presented at an American Heart Association meeting this week. Obese people are at an increased risk of blood clots and diseases such as stroke.
Can exercise help with blood clots?
Regular aerobic exercise helps reverse blood clot formation, concludes lead researcher Derek T. Smith, with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
What are the signs of blood clotting?
Symptoms of a blood clot include:
- throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm.
- sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
Can you get DVT from sitting too long?
Pulmonary embolisms usually originate as a blood clot called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that can be caused by long periods of inactivity, like too much sitting, extended bed-rest or long trips.
How do you know if you have a traveling blood clot?
A rapid heartbeat. Chest pain or discomfort that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough. Coughing up blood. Feeling lightheaded or faint.
How does a blood clot feel?
The feeling can range from a dull ache to intense pain. You may notice the pain throbs in your leg, belly, or even your arm. Warm skin. The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin.
Can long-distance travel cause a blood clot?
The combination of long-distance travel with one or more of these risks may increase the likelihood of developing a blood clot. The more risks you have, the greater your chances of experiencing a blood clot. If you plan on traveling soon, talk with your doctor to learn more about what you can do to protect your health.
What should I do if I have a history of blood clots?
If you have had a previous blood clot, or if a family member has a history of blood clots or an inherited clotting disorder, talk with your doctor to learn more about your individual risks. Move your legs frequently when on long trips and exercise your calf muscles to improve the flow of blood.
Why do blood clots form in your legs during travel?
Blood clots can form in the deep veins (veins below the surface that are not visible through the skin) of your legs during travel because you are sitting still in a confined space for long periods of time.
How to protect yourself from blood clots when traveling?
Protect Yourself and Reduce Your Risk of Blood Clots During Travel. Move your legs frequently when on long trips and exercise your calf muscles to improve the flow of blood. If you’ve been sitting for a long time, take a break to stretch your legs. Extend your legs straight out and flex your ankles (pulling your toes toward you).