Coágulos de sangre: el lado aterrador de los viajes de vacaciones

Whether you’ll be boarding a plane, hopping on a train or getting behind the wheel, you’ll likely be one of the millions of Americans joining the annual holiday travel rush. You’ve probably checked off the typical items on your preparation to-do list: making travel arrangements, buying gifts, finding a pet sitter, packing your suitcase and some healthy travel snacks.

Pero, ¿ha pensado en su salud durante sus viajes?

Si su viaje dura varias horas, puede correr el riesgo de sufrir un coágulo de sangre conocido como trombosis venosa profunda o TVP.

¿Por qué está en peligro de tener coágulos de sangre mientras viaja?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these blood clots can be a serious risk for some long-distance travelers. The CDC warns that anyone traveling more than four hours, whether by air, car, bus or train, can be at risk for developing a DVT.

Como cirujano vascular, diagnostico y trato problemas arteriales y venosos y con frecuencia veo pacientes con coágulos de sangre en las piernas. Sin la terapia médica adecuada, estos coágulos de sangre pueden poner en peligro la vida, incluso causar la muerte.

DVTs form in the deep veins (veins below the surface that are not visible through the skin) of your legs during travel because you are sitting still in a confined space for long periods of time. The longer you are immobile, the greater the risk of developing a blood clot. If the blood clot breaks off and travels to your lungs, it can block an artery and create a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Prevención de coágulos de sangre en viajes de larga distancia

La buena noticia es que hay cosas que puede hacer para proteger su salud y reducir el riesgo de desarrollar coágulos de sangre durante los viajes de larga distancia.

1. Get up occasionally and walk around. If you’re traveling by air, get up about every 2-3 hours. If you’re in a car, plan breaks in your travel schedule so you can stretch and walk around.
2. Exercise your calf muscles and stretch your legs while you’re sitting. Raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor. Raise and lower your toes while keeping your heels on the floor. Tighten and release your leg muscles.
3. Wear properly fitted compression stockings.
4. Wear loose clothing and comfortable shoes.
5. Drink lots of water. Keeping adequately hydrated reduces your chances of developing a DVT.
6. Be aware of blood clot symptoms. Half of people with a DVT have no symptoms at all. However, the most common symptoms include: swelling of your leg or arm, pain or tenderness that you can’t explain, skin that is warm to the touch, and redness of the skin. If you suspect you have a blood clot, seek medical help immediately. A DVT is usually treatable with medicine or devices used to dissolve or break up the clot. Typically, medicines are taken for several weeks or months to prevent more clots from forming and to give the body a chance to dissolve or heal existing clots.
7. Discuss any personal or family history of developing blood clots or a clotting disorder with your doctor.
8. If you are on blood thinning medication, talk to your doctor before you travel.

Related: Preparing for medical emergencies when you travel

No permita que una emergencia médica arruine las vacaciones de sus sueños. Esté preparado y proactivo. ¡Buen viaje!

Worried about your health while you travel? Talk to a doctor before you head out.