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Blood clots after flying can surprise even the most seasoned travelers, as travel writer Lindsey Campbell discovered. She makes sure to stretch before flights and stay active during the journey, but after landing, she thought her calf pain was just from hiking.
Blood clots can develop deep within the leg veins (hence the term ‘deep vein thrombosis’ or DVT) if your legs remain immobile for long periods, especially with bent knees. The clot forms in the calf, causing discomfort that escalates into severe pain. Campbell describes it like this:
Our flight arrived on a Monday, and for the next couple of days, I kept dismissing my calf pain as a pulled muscle. But the discomfort intensified. It felt like a charley horse in my leg. By Thursday, I was limping and restlessly shifting in meetings, unable to find any comfort. When I got home that evening, I told my boyfriend Jim about the pain, how it was worsening. He bent down to massage my leg, but as he pressed, I winced and burst into tears.
After a flight—or really at any time—it’s important to be aware of the signs to watch for. If the clot is in your leg, you might experience:
Swelling in the lower leg
Cramps or tenderness in the lower leg
Redness or bruising
A swollen area that feels warm to the touch
Generally, the symptoms will affect only one leg or be more intense on one side than the other.
What’s even more concerning is that parts of the clot can break free and travel to the lungs, potentially interfering with your ability to breathe. These are known as pulmonary embolisms, and the signs of these include:
Shortness of breath
Sharp pain when breathing, often described as a stabbing sensation
Rapid heart rate
An unexplained cough (for instance, you don’t have a cold or any obvious reason for it), possibly accompanied by blood-streaked mucus
Don't disregard these symptoms, even if you think your flight wasn’t that long. Campbell’s clot likely formed after a six-hour flight, during which she spent almost the entire time asleep with her legs crossed. Larger seats allow for more freedom to shift positions while sleeping, which is why clots are often linked to air travel (you can move freely in your own bed at home).
Those who are most vulnerable to blood clots include individuals who smoke, use birth control pills, are pregnant, are overweight, or have a personal or family history of blood clots. (Some people's blood tends to clot more easily.) If you've had a clot recently, consult your doctor to determine if it's safe to fly again and what precautions you should take beforehand. Medications can help prevent future clots, and you will likely be prescribed blood thinners, regardless of whether you’re flying again.
But don’t panic! Clots are uncommon, and you can minimize your risk by staying active during the flight (even just moving your feet under the seat can help). Dehydration increases your risk, so make sure to drink plenty of water—plus, those extra bathroom trips will help you stay mobile. Additionally, wearing well-fitted compression stockings can prevent blood from accumulating in your calf veins. However, if your calf hurts after a long flight, it’s important to have it checked out.
