02 | 8 | 2006
Passengers Face DVT Danger in Cars, Trains and Buses Too
The New York Times recently reported that car occupants on long journeys are as likely as airline passengers to develop potentially lethal blood clots. All forms of transport involve a small but increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on journeys of four or more hours. People on long journeys were three times as likely to develop blood clots in the veins of the legs, thighs or pelvis. The clots can be fatal if they travel to the lungs. The people found to be most at risk from developing DVT were those traveling for more than 12 hours, those using oral contraception and those taller than 6ft 3in. In all incidences of DVT, only 1 per cent of cases prove to be fatal. For the complete article, please see the Times on Line.