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H O WA R D C O U N T Y B E A C O N — M AY 2 0 1 2
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For most travelers, blood clot risk is low By Lindsey Tanner Good news for budget-minded travelers: There’s no proof that flying economy-class increases your chances of dangerous blood clots, according to new guidelines from medical specialists. Travelers’ blood clots have been nicknamed “economy class syndrome,” but the new advice suggests this is a misnomer. The real risk is not getting up and moving during long flights — whether flying coach or first-class. Sitting by the window seems to play a role, because it makes people less likely to leave their seats, the guidelines say. Still, even on flights lasting up to four hours, the risk of clots for most people is extremely low and not something to be alarmed about, said Dr. Gordon Guyatt, chairman of an American College of Chest Physicians’ committee that wrote the new guidelines.
The group, based in Northbrook, Ill., represents more than 18,000 physicians whose specialties include lung disease and critical care. The guidelines were released online last month in the group’s journal, Chest. They’re based on a review of recent research and other medical evidence on deep vein thrombosis, blood clots that form deep in leg veins.
Longest flights riskiest Flights lasting eight hours or more are riskiest, the guidelines say. Muscles in the lower legs help push blood in the legs and feet back to the heart. Sitting still for extended periods of time without using these muscles puts pressure on leg veins. As a result, blood “tends to sit there,” which can increase chances for clots to form, said Guyatt, a researcher at McMaster University in Hamil-
BEACON BITS
May 3
ENJOY THE NATIONAL MALL MUSEUMS Take your pick of the Washington, D.C. museums in the National
ton, Ontario. These clots can cause leg pain, swelling and redness, and can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs. They can be treated with blood-thinning drugs, but may cause permanent damage to leg veins. Most people who develop such clots have risk factors including obesity, older age, recent surgery, a history of previous blood clots, or use of birth control pills. The average risk for a deep vein blood clot in the general population is about 1 per 1,000 each year. Long-haul travel doubles the chance, but still, the small risk should reassure healthy travelers that they’re unlikely to develop clots, said Dr. Susan Kahn, a co-author of the new guidelines and a professor of medicine at McGill
University in Montreal. Traveling by bus, train and car may also increase the risks, the guidelines say.
Preventing clots Besides taking a stroll down the aisle during flights, doing calf exercises — including flexing and extending the ankles while seated — can help prevent clots, Kahn said. The guidelines recommend these precautions and use of special compression stockings only for people at increased risk for clots. They advise long-distance travelers against using aspirin or other blood thinners to prevent blood clots. — AP
Your New Lifestyle Begins Here
Mall area; the Department of Recreation & Parks will provide the transportation. The bus leaves on Thursday, May 3 at 9 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. The fee is $45 per person, lunch on your own. For further information or to register, call (410) 313-7279 or (410) 313-7275.
May 15+
ESCAPE TO THE POCONOS A luxurious getaway for two nights at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville, Pa. begins when the motor coach leaves on Tuesday
May 15 at 7 a.m. and concludes when it returns at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17.
Designed and managed for today· s seniors at these locations:
The trip, sponsored by the Department of Recreation & Parks, includes a visit to the Mt. Airy Casino and lunch at Ehrhardt’s on Lake Wallenpaupack. Fees range from $425-$525, depending on room size. To register or for more information, call (410) 313-7279 or (410) 313-7275.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
EASTERN SHORE
‡ Furnace Branch 410-761-4150
‡ Easton 410-770-3070
‡ Severna Park 410-544-3411
HARFORD COUNTY
This Department of Recreation & Parks-sponsored trip leaves at 9 a.m. on
BALTIMORE CITY
‡ Box Hill 410-515-6115
Thursday, May 24 and returns at 4 p.m. Fee is $69. To register or for more infor-
‡ Ashland Terrace 410-276-6440
‡ Bel Air 410-893-0064
‡ Coldspring 410-542-4400
HOWARD COUNTY
BALTIMORE COUNTY
‡ Colonial Landing 410-796-4399
‡ Catonsville 410-719-9464
‡ Columbia 410-381-1118
‡ Dundalk 410-288-5483
‡ Snowden River 410-290-0384
‡ Fullerton 410-663-0665
‡ Ellicott City 410-203-9501
‡ Miramar Landing 410-391-8375
‡ Ellicott City II 410-203-2096
‡ Randallstown 410-655-5673
‡ Emerson 301-483-3322
‡ Rosedale 410-866-1886
PRINCE GEORGE· S COUNTY
May 24
LUNCH ON THE ANNAPOLIS DOCK Carroll’s Creek Restaurant, located in the Annapolis City Marina, overlooks the dock area near the shops along historic streets.
mation, call (410) 313-7279 or (410) 313-7275.
‡ Taylor 410-663-0363
NOW! * Bladensburg 301-699-9785 *55 or Better ‡ Laurel 301-490-1526
‡ Woodlawn 410-281-1120
‡ Laurel II 301-490-9730
‡ Timothy House (Towson) 410-828-7185
www.ParkViewSeniorLiving.com Call the community nearest you to inquire about eligibility requirements and to arrange a personal tour or email seniorliving@sheltergrp.com. Professionally managed by The Shelter Group. www.thesheltergroup.com