VTE disease are the causes of morbidity and mortality in immobile patients travelling on long-haul aircraft. More than a billion travellers fly annually worldwide and approximately 225 million travel in and out of the UK. More than 5% of this group may have chronic health problems and risk factors for VTE.

A majority of studies in the American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guidelines confirm the existence of risk factors in patients with VTE after a long-haul flights and also help to define patients at high risk of VTE. From a primary healthcare point of view and as long-haul travellers, it is important to understand whether you fall in the risk group or not because knowledge will help you better prepare for your next flight and help mitigate the risks. 

These risk factors include:

• prior history of VTE in the past
• recent surgery (within the last 1 month)
• recent trauma of the pelvis and legs
• cancer
• pregnancy
• estrogen-progestin treatment (e.g. oral, patches for HRT or contraception)
• reduced mobility
• congestive heart failure
• severe obesity
• known thrombophilia
• age >65 years

Guidelines published in the UK 2010 reference risk factors into three groups. The High Risk Groups lists the following:

• Major surgery in the past 4 weeks
• Cancer requiring chemotherapy in the last 6-months or awaiting chemotherapy 

Taking adequate preventive measures adapted to the number of your risk factors, could certainly help you reduce the incidence of VTE associated with long-haul flights. See flyinghealthprogram.com for more detail. 

Movement is key to life and maintaining a healthy circulation.