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Homepage Preventing Flight Problems Prior to the Flight During the Flight Medical Problems Pregnancy Flying with Kids Deep Vein Thrombosis What is DVT? |
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DVT is Deep Venous (Vein) Thrombosis, more commonly referred to as ‘economy class syndrome’ in the media. Of late, DVT has gained accelerated notoriety in the world’s press as the general public’s awareness of the problem has became more prevalent.
The link between DVT and long haul air travel was first introduced in medical journals in the 1950s which highlighted the potential risk long periods of immobility during long haul flights presented.
Even today, there remains a great deal of ignorance surrounding DVT, despite the fact that more people are flying than ever before.
First and foremost, DVT is not a problem restricted to air travellers, and anyone travelling for prolonged distances by car, bus or train are at equal risk. There is, in fact, no real evidence to suggest that air travel is responsible for an increased likelihood for DVT over any other situation where the condition may be arising.
In short, DVT is a result of extended periods of immobility (flights lasting in excess of five hours) which can lead to the development of a blood clot.