A woman considered healthy nearly lost her life during a long-haul flight and is now cautioning others against making the same error.
Regardless of how you feel about flying, spending over 10 hours on an aircraft can be taxing, even with a wide range of movies and TV shows available.
Emily, known on TikTok as ‘alwayssingingmom,’ experienced a life-threatening health scare due to remaining seated for 10 hours during her 13-hour, nonstop flight.
Last month, on her journey from Toronto to Dubai, she stood up two and a half hours before landing to use the restroom.
In a widely viewed TikTok video, Emily, aged 33, shared how she collapsed before reaching the restroom, resulting in a black eye.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7476535730894867719
After landing, medical tests disclosed that Emily had a saddle pulmonary embolism, a severe and often deadly blood clot lodged at the juncture where the main pulmonary artery splits into two to supply each lung.
Despite wearing compression socks during the journey, Emily is now urging people to stay active on flights, acknowledging that her survival is nothing short of a ‘miracle.’
The National Health Service (NHS) states that ‘extended periods of immobility’ can lead to ‘sluggish blood flow in the veins,’ increasing the likelihood of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clot within the body.
As per NHS data, the probability of healthy individuals developing DVT is 1 in 107,000 for flights under four hours, 1 in 4,600 for flights over four hours, and 1 in 1,200 for flights lasting more than 16 hours.
Certain factors, such as obesity, recent surgeries, or using the combined oral contraceptive pill—like Emily was—can heighten the risk.
Blood clots typically form in the legs, but fragments can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).
If a DVT is untreated, approximately one in 10 individuals will develop PE.
Blood clots often present no obvious warning signs.
However, Emily experienced a heavy ‘dull ache’ in her chest and coughed ‘three times’ before losing consciousness.
The NHS advises seeking urgent medical help if you experience breathing difficulties or have swollen, painful legs while flying—especially if one leg is more affected.
Other signs include a heavy ache in the affected area, warm skin near the clot, and redness below the knee.
DVT can still occur up to eight weeks post-travel, so it’s essential to remain vigilant.
The NHS lists several steps to reduce the risk of DVT formation.
Staying mobile during your long-haul flight, as emphasized by Emily, is crucial.
Though it may be challenging in economy class, there are strategies you can employ.
Choosing an aisle seat can encourage you to move around more frequently.
Performing calf muscle exercises, like flexing and extending your ankles, can promote blood circulation.
Staying hydrated can minimize grogginess and prompt you to visit the restroom more, thus keeping your legs active.
However, the NHS advises against excessive alcohol and sleeping pill use, as these ‘may discourage movement.’
If you are at elevated risk, the NHS suggests wearing compression socks.
These apply controlled pressure to the legs to enhance blood flow in the veins.
But don’t solely depend on them; make sure to frequently stand and walk.
In her TikTok video, Emily mentioned wearing ‘professionally fitted’ compression socks during her flight when she developed the blood clot, stressing that relying solely on them was insufficient.
Additionally, the NHS cautions that improperly fitting compression socks might actually elevate the risk of DVT or PE.
Thus, keeping your legs active is likely the safest course of action.