Q. I am a private investigator. Believe me when I tell you the job is not as glamorous as most people think. I spend hours sitting in a car watching and waiting.
I have read that people who sit through long airplane flights can develop blood clots in their legs. Could this happen to me and what can I do to prevent it? I take a baby aspirin to thin my blood, but I don’t know if that will work.
A. When a blood clot forms in a large vein in the legs it is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This can be dangerous because the clot could break loose and lodge in the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism. Research has shown that DVT may affect as many as 10 percent of the passengers on flights longer than five hours.
Anyone who sits for a long time is vulnerable. Experts recommend graduated compression hosiery to prevent blood clots from forming. Avoiding dehydration and walking when possible are also important.
Aspirin prevents blood clots responsible for heart attacks and strokes, but may be less helpful against DVT. Check with your doctor to see if your risk factors warrant daily aspirin, and invest in several pairs of medical support hose for your long vigils.
