Compression garments when travelling. Do I need them?
- Posted by Andrea
- On September 10, 2016
Sitting for long periods of time without actively moving your legs, especially on a plane, on a bus, on a train or in a car, can slow down the blood flow in your legs and increase the risk of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Painful and swollen legs are often the first symptoms.
Some factors to take into consideration when travelling are:
- will your trip take more than 4 hours
- age (are you over 40?)
- weight (are you overweight?)
- family history of thrombosis, embolism or clotting problems
- varicose veins
- heart problems
- pregnancy
- history of cancer
- are you taking hormones (e.g. the pill)
- recent operations
If you have answered yes to any of the above, then it is advisable for you to wear travel stockings. If you have answered yes to 3 or more questions then you may like to ask your doctor about the best precautionary measures. If these include a prescription for medical compression stockings then come and see me.