Millions of Brits catch flights every year, but every time they board a plane, they make simple mistakes that could prove to be deadly.
According to the NHS, you are more likely to get deep vein thrombosis if you go on a long journey over three hours by plane, car or train.
DVT is when a clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs, which can become dislodged and pass into the lungs, which can be fatal.
Charity Thrombosis UK says travellers should take precautions in order to avoid getting DVT by exercising calf muscles regularly by moving feet up and down and even getting up and moving around where possible.
Thrombosis UK warns that drinking alcohol can increase the chances of blood clots because it dehydrates you – so being careful how much you buy from the in-flight menu is advised.
While many take precautions by wearing medical stockings, the charity says it is important to ensure they fit properly or you risk them not working.
The charity also advises against taking sleeping tablets because they can cause you to sleep in an awkward position and warns people to stay hydrated.
And another big risk factor is flying after surgery – which increases the risk of clotting for four to six weeks afterwards.
One mum from Sandbach, Cheshire, ‘died’ twice and had to be resuscitated after getting blood clots when flying home from a tummy tuck op in Turkey.
Medical Director Professor Beverley Hunt said: “Taller and smaller people are also slightly more at risk than others.
“Tall people for all types of long-distance travel and smaller people mainly during air travel as they may not be able to rest their feet comfortably on the floor, causing the legs to dangle and adding extra pressure to the back of the knees.”
Sarah had lost a whopping 15 stone over the last two and a half years through dieting but was desperate to banish the excess skin her incredible weight loss had left behind.
The 36-year-old was quoted £17,000 to have the surgery done in the UK, so opted to fly from Manchester to Istanbul, Turkey, on September 1 for a £6,500 tummy tuck, an arm lift and liposuction.
The mum-of-one said the op went well but claims after raising some swelling in her left leg to doctors, she was assured this was normal so she flew back to the UK on September 8.
The next day while cooking she experienced some breathlessness, but as she had a GP appointment in two days, dismissed any concerns until then.
At the appointment she was told to go to Leighton hospital in Crewe immediately where doctors performed blood tests, an ultrasound and a CT scan – uncovering a blood clot on each lung and DVT in her left leg.
Despite being admitted to hospital, her condition worsened and she ended up going into cardiac arrest – having to be resuscitated twice.
The carer claims A&E staff said she should have been given blood thinners but the Turkish doctors ‘forgot’ and believes that this combined with her getting on a flight is what caused the clots.
Now Sarah is recovering at home but says she will have to take blood thinners for the rest of her life and says the surgery is ‘not worth it at all’.
She claims she has since contacted the clinic she visited in Turkey but they have now blocked her.
Sarah said: “The blood clot had travelled to the part of my lung that produces the oxygen and I couldn’t get any oxygen around my body.
“I am definitely thankful to be alive. I’m just glad I cannot remember dying.
“My vanity almost cost me my life.”
