Statistics show that flying is much safer than driving. More than eight million people fly every day, according to the International Air Transport Association, and for most travellers, the most traumatic part of their trip is a crying baby or bland food.
Ms. Grundling, who was returning to the territory after visiting South Africa for the December holidays, said she felt a “horrible cramp” in her calf during her 14-hour flight from Dubai to New York.
At first she thought she had only pulled a muscle, but by the time she reached Tortola it was obvious something else was wrong.
The pain had become increasingly intense, she said, and the affected area was swollen and warm to the touch.
After looking up her symptoms online, she realised her condition was serious, and went to Peebles Hospital, where doctors confirmed she had a deep vein thrombosis — a large blood clot in her leg that could be deadly if it travelled to her heart or lungs.
Ms. Grundling said she was injected with an anti-coagulant for two days, prescribed a blood-thinner to take for the next three months, and ordered to remain on bed rest for a few weeks.
The experience was both physically and emotionally draining.
“Every time you are short of breath, every time your chest feels heavy, every time you have even the slightest ache in your chest, your immediate reaction is that it could be the clot, which may have moved to your lungs,” she said.
Ms. Grundling, who is now on the mend, said she wishes she had been better informed.
“I’ve always been told that one should get up every now and then and walk around on a plane because sitting so long is bad for you, but no one ever quite expanded on how bad,” she explained.
Staying safe
Dr. Heskith Vanterpool explained that flights, particularly long ones, increase the risk of blood clots because people are sitting for long periods of time.
“Stagnant blood tends to settle and clot,” he said.
To prevent the blood from becoming stagnant, the doctor advised periodically getting out of your seat and walking up and down the cabin, or taking a trip to the bathroom.
Although blood clots can happen to anyone, Dr. Vanterpool said that those who are pregnant or obese or who have varicose veins are all at a higher-than-average risk.
Anyone who believes they may have a blood clot should seek medical attention, as the condition can be life-threatening, he added.
Dehydration
In addition to blood clots, Dr. Vanterpool said people also have a tendency to become mildly dehydrated on planes, and he encouraged all travellers to drink plenty of water.
“Some people don’t because they don’t want to get up to go to the bathroom [on flights],” he said.
Judith-Brigitta Holmes, a physiotherapist at Therapy Works on Tortola, agreed that walking around on flights is beneficial for preventing blood clots.
“We would recommend that you walk around the cabin every 15 to 20 minutes, especially if the flight is longer,” she said, adding that wearing compression socks is also helpful.
Ms. Holmes said travellers can also move their ankles around in a circular motion, tap their toes and lifts their heels, bring their knees to their chest, and do shoulder and neck rolls, all while remaining in their seats.
Although Ms. Holmes said it’s a good idea to take precautions, she pointed out that the threat of blood clots is low for the average traveller.
“The risk is very small,” she said.
This article originally appeared in the March 2, 2017 print edition.
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