Tall, Short Travelers at Greater Risk for Thrombosis
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 06.29.07 | 1:51 PM ET
The World Health Organization announced Friday that long-haul travelers’ risk of developing deep vein thrombosis doubles after flights or ground trips in which they’re seated for four hours or more. At greater risk of developing blood clots, according to a study cited by the WHO, are very tall people with cramped leg room—yes, one more reason to love economy class—very short people whose legs don’t reach the floor, the obese and women who take birth control pills. The chances of developing thrombosis are low: roughly one in 6,000 long-haul travelers.
One WHO expert suggested travelers reduce their risk by avoiding sleeping pills, too much alcohol and tight clothing.
And they “should exercise their calf muscles with up-and-down movements of the feet and ankle joints, and leave their seats for a few minutes when possible,” reports Reuters.
Related on World Hum:
* Leg Room Requirements Under Consideration for European Flights
* Dick Cheney, Long Flights and the Dangers of Deep Vein Thrombosis
* Latest Weapon in the War on Jet Lag: Viagra?
Photo by goldberg via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
Email to friend
Twitter
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Ma.gnolia
Mixx
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Yahoo! Buzz
Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
