11/21/2025
Everyone talks about what to pack for your Thanksgiving travel. As a vascular surgeon in Houston, let's talk about what happens to your body in that pressurized tube.
It's a 3-hit combo that creates a perfect storm for a dangerous blood clot (DVT):
1️⃣ THE SEAT (Immobility): Prolonged sitting completely shuts down your "Second Heart" (your calf muscles). Blood flow in your legs becomes stagnant.
2️⃣ THE AIR (Dehydration): The cabin air is drier than a desert. This dehydrates you, making your blood physically thicker and sludgier.
3️⃣ THE PRESSURE (Dilation): Lower cabin pressure can cause your veins to widen (dilate), making their tiny valves less efficient.
This 3-hit combo is a high-risk event for everyone, but it becomes non-negotiable to manage if you are over 40, pregnant, or have varicose veins.
Your flight plan is simple. SAVE THIS.
✅ WEAR compression socks (15-20 mmHg).
✅ DRINK 8oz of water per hour (the Aerospace Medical Association rule). ✅ MOVE your feet (30 ankle pumps every 30 minutes).
Are you flying or driving for the holiday? Let me know in the comments! 👇
Want to learn more about symptoms, diseases, and case studies? Visit my profile .malikmd.
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— Dr. Rema Malik Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon in Houston, TX