Skip the Bird’s Eye View
If you’re a frequent flyer, you may know that long airplane
flights increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially
deadly blood clot that usually starts in the legs. But did you know
that where you sit on an airplane also could affect your risk of
developing the condition?
flights increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially
deadly blood clot that usually starts in the legs. But did you know
that where you sit on an airplane also could affect your risk of
developing the condition?
It might, according to a study by Dutch researchers in the British
Journal of Haematology. Researchers compared 80 DVT sufferers with 108
control subjects who’d recently flown for at least four hours. They
found that passengers sitting in window seats doubled their risk of
DVT; no increased risk was found for those in middle seats. Weight
appeared to increase the danger: Obese passengers in window seats were
six times more likely to develop DVT than those in aisle seats.
Journal of Haematology. Researchers compared 80 DVT sufferers with 108
control subjects who’d recently flown for at least four hours. They
found that passengers sitting in window seats doubled their risk of
DVT; no increased risk was found for those in middle seats. Weight
appeared to increase the danger: Obese passengers in window seats were
six times more likely to develop DVT than those in aisle seats.
One explanation for the increased risk: Passengers are more
cramped in window seats. Another is that passengers fall asleep by a
window. In fact, sleeping for several hours at a time during long
flights is known to increase one’s risk of a blood clot, which can be
deadly if it travels from the bloodstream to the lungs, causing
pulmonary embolism.
cramped in window seats. Another is that passengers fall asleep by a
window. In fact, sleeping for several hours at a time during long
flights is known to increase one’s risk of a blood clot, which can be
deadly if it travels from the bloodstream to the lungs, causing
pulmonary embolism.
Researchers found that flying business class reduced passenger
risk by about 30 percent. They also found that standard advice from
clinicians and airlines for preventing in-flight DVT–drinking water,
exercising, wearing compression stockings and avoiding alcohol–was
inconsequential or had an opposite outcome.
risk by about 30 percent. They also found that standard advice from
clinicians and airlines for preventing in-flight DVT–drinking water,
exercising, wearing compression stockings and avoiding alcohol–was
inconsequential or had an opposite outcome.
But one of the study’s critics cautioned against reconsidering
preventive advice for passengers. The study sample was just too small.
preventive advice for passengers. The study sample was just too small.
–Nicole Crawford-Tichawonna
