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Free booze, early boarding and extra pillows may not be the only perks of flying first class.
Known colloquially as “economy class syndrome,” deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located near the center of the body—making more difficult to define and access.
DVT can develop at any time, but long-haul flights and cramped bus seats can amplify the risk.
The blockage is formed due to the lack of vigorous blood circulation, often caused by sitting in the same position for a long period. As the clot forms, many individuals will feel sharp pain and swelling near the site.
About 1 million Americans will develop DVT each year, and up to 100,000 will die from it.
Dr. Pinakin V. Parekh, a cardiologist at Singapore’s Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre, tells CNBC that where you sit on a plane can have an impact on the likelihood of developing DVT, “Theoretically people who are in better classes of travel air — business class, first class — have more room to move around, stretch their legs. So it’s all about real estate on the plane.”
While it is called “economic class syndrome” Dr. Parekh notes that DVT doesn’t discriminate and is more about mobility than cabin class, “it could be the only flight of your life if you decide not to move.”
In addition to flying, an increased risk of DVT is associated with similarly long periods of rest. A young gamer in England died after hours of playing video games during the COVID-19 lockdown.
DVT affects the deepest veins in your body, usually in the legs or pelvis, although it has also been known to occur in the arms. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of DVT include swelling, pain, feelings of warmth, and changes in skin color.
However, some people who develop the condition have no symptoms at all.
If left untreated, DVT can result in a pulmonary embolism. The often fatal condition is caused by a blood clot that breaks off and makes its way to the lungs, thereby blocking the pulmonary artery and reducing oxygen in the blood.
Dr. Robert Lookstein, professor of radiology and vice president of interventional services at Mount Sinai Health System, told The Post. “Ten to 30 percent of pulmonary emboli will not survive. It is associated with significant mortality.”
There are a number of risk factors associated with DVT, such as obesity, smoking, pregnancy, heart disease, certain medications, and hormonal treatments such as birth control.
However, flying is its own type of risk factor.
“The stereotype is the person who drinks a double latte, gets in a coach class seat flying across the country, has a Scotch, falls asleep and wakes up seven hours later,” said Dr. Lookstein. “They haven’t moved, they’re deeply dehydrated and they have a blood clot.”
According to Dr. Lookstein, the combination of inaction, dehydration and a confined space puts the air traveler at a specific risk.
Dr. Parekh says that long-haul flights pose the greatest risk for DVT, but those on shorter journeys are not immune. even four hours is now considered long enough.”
While the risk cannot be completely eliminated, Dr. Lookstein says he can be tamed.
“My general rule of thumb that I give my patients is that whenever you’re traveling, you should be on your feet and moving around every two hours or so. If you are driving a car, you should pull over, walk around, get a bottle of water. Anything beyond a few hours is unhealthy, even more worrying if you’re in a tight space like a compact car or coach class seat.”
The Mayo Clinic also suggests rolling your ankles while sitting, drinking plenty of water, and wearing supportive socks during the flight.
For fliers who can’t afford first class, Parekh suggests choosing an aisle seat, which “encourages you to walk up and start walking a lot easier, because when you’re all the way inside the row, you’re always worried that you are disturbing the boy [next to you].
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Image Source : nypost.com