The American College of Chest Physicians officially lists window seats on long-distance flights as among risk factors for deep vein thrombosis or DVT. "Long-distance travelers sitting in a window seat tend to have limited mobility, which increases their risk for DVT," says the physicians.
The physicians’ guidelines also indicate there is no evidence to support the notion that alcohol consumption or dehydration increase travelers’ risk of DVT.
On flights of six hours or longer, travelers who have an increased risk of DVT should move around frequently, stretch calf muscles, sit in an aisle seat, or use "below-knee graduated compression stockings," the physicians advise.
By David Wilkening
