Travel DVT Risk Calculator
This tool helps you assess your risk of developing blood clots during international travel based on your medical history and travel conditions. Remember, always consult your healthcare provider before traveling.
Your Risk Assessment
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Detailed risk information will appear here
Recommended Actions
- Stay hydrated
- Move legs every 30 minutes
Planning an international trip while on blood thinners? You’re not alone. Millions of people around the world take anticoagulants for conditions like atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or artificial heart valves-and many of them fly, train, or drive long distances every year. The good news? Traveling while on these medications is generally safe-if you know what to do. The bad news? Skipping a dose, ignoring leg swelling, or drinking too much wine on the plane can turn a routine trip into a medical emergency.
Why Travel Increases Your Risk of Blood Clots
Sitting still for hours is the real enemy. It doesn’t matter if you’re in first class or economy. What matters is that your legs aren’t moving. When blood pools in your lower legs, it can start to clot. That’s called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. If that clot breaks loose and travels to your lungs, it becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE)-a life-threatening event. The CDC says the risk of travel-related DVT doubles after four hours of continuous sitting. For someone with no extra risk factors, the chance is low-about 1 in 4,656 flights. But if you’re over 40, have a BMI over 30, had surgery recently, have cancer, or have had a blood clot before? Your risk jumps to 1 in 1,000. That’s not a small number. And if you’re on anticoagulants but skip a dose? You’re essentially turning off your body’s safety net.What Your Doctor Wants You to Know About Medication
If you’re on warfarin, your INR (a blood test that measures how long it takes your blood to clot) needs to be checked before you leave. Aim for a result between 2.0 and 3.5, depending on why you’re taking it. If your INR is too low, you’re at risk for clots. Too high? You risk bleeding. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport to find out. For people on DOACs-drugs like rivaroxaban, apixaban, or dabigatran-there’s no need for regular blood tests. That’s one reason they’re easier to manage while traveling. But here’s the catch: DOACs cost a lot more. Rivaroxaban runs around $575 for a 30-day supply. Warfarin? About $4. If cost is an issue, stick with warfarin-but only if you can manage the testing. Never skip a dose. Even one missed pill can make your blood start clotting again. Dr. Susan Coogan at UT Physicians says it plainly: “If you stop taking your blood thinner, your blood becomes MORE sticky.” That’s not a myth. It’s science. Time zones? They matter. If you’re flying across multiple zones, take your medication at the same clock time-not the same time of day. If you usually take warfarin at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and you land in London, take it at 6 p.m. London time, not 6 p.m. your old time. That keeps your levels steady.What to Pack: More Than Just Pills
Your suitcase needs more than clothes and chargers. Here’s what to bring:- A printed list of all your medications: names, doses, and your doctor’s contact info
- Your most recent INR result (if on warfarin)
- Compression stockings (15-30 mmHg pressure) that fit properly
- A portable INR monitor like the Roche CoaguChek® Mobile if you’re traveling longer than two weeks and your INR is unstable
- Enough medication for the entire trip plus at least 7 extra days
- A note from your doctor explaining your condition and medications (helpful if customs asks)
How to Move While You Travel
Movement is your best defense. You don’t need to run laps in the airport. Just move your legs.- Do calf raises every 30 minutes: lift your heels, hold for 3 seconds, lower. Repeat 10 times.
- Point and flex your toes. Do this while watching a movie or scrolling on your phone.
- Walk the aisle every 2-3 hours. Even 5 minutes helps.
- If you’re driving, stop every 2 hours. Walk around the gas station. Stretch your legs.
- Choose an aisle seat. It’s easier to get up without disturbing others.
What to Drink (and What to Avoid)
Hydration is critical. Dehydration thickens your blood. That’s bad news when you’re already at risk for clots.- Drink water. A lot of it. Aim for at least 8 ounces every hour during travel.
- Avoid alcohol. It dehydrates you and can interfere with warfarin.
- Skip sugary sodas and energy drinks. They don’t hydrate-they just add sugar and caffeine.
- Don’t rely on airline drinks. They’re often watered down or served in tiny portions.
Warning Signs: Don’t Ignore These
Most people with DVT don’t feel anything at first. But when symptoms appear, they’re clear:- Swelling in one leg (72% of DVT cases show this)
- Pain or tenderness in the calf, especially when standing or walking
- Redness or warmth in the affected area
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply
- Fast heartbeat or dizziness
When to Avoid Travel Altogether
Some situations are too risky to ignore:- Within four weeks of a new DVT or PE diagnosis
- If you’re still in pain, swollen, or short of breath
- If you’ve had major surgery in the last month
- If you have active cancer and are newly diagnosed
- If you’re not yet stable on your anticoagulant dose
What’s Changing in 2026
The medical world is catching up. The MARVEL trial, which started in 2022, is testing whether a single daily dose of rivaroxaban before long flights can safely prevent clots in high-risk travelers. Results are expected by late 2024. If proven effective, this could become a new standard-especially for people with cancer or a history of unprovoked clots. Meanwhile, more airlines are starting to offer compression sock sales on board. Some airports now have walking paths designed for long layovers. These are small steps-but they matter.Final Checklist Before You Go
- ✅ See your doctor 2-4 weeks before departure
- ✅ Get your INR checked (if on warfarin)
- ✅ Confirm your meds are available at your destination
- ✅ Pack extra pills (7+ days beyond your trip)
- ✅ Buy properly fitted compression stockings
- ✅ Plan to move every 2-3 hours
- ✅ Carry emergency contact info for local hospitals
- ✅ Know the signs of bleeding and clotting
- ✅ Never skip a dose
Sallie Jane Barnes
January 24, 2026 AT 03:26Just got back from a 14-hour flight to Tokyo while on warfarin-followed every single tip here. Compression stockings, water every hour, aisle seat, and I didn’t skip a single dose. No swelling, no panic. It’s not scary if you’re prepared. Seriously, this post saved my trip.
Andrew Smirnykh
January 25, 2026 AT 07:36Interesting how the article mentions DOACs cost $575 vs. warfarin at $4. I wonder how many people in low-income countries even have access to either. The global disparity in anticoagulant care is staggering-and rarely discussed in these kinds of posts.
Laura Rice
January 25, 2026 AT 13:56OMG I JUST HAD A DVT AFTER A FLIGHT LAST YEAR AND I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW IT UNTIL MY LEG WAS SWOLLEN LIKE A PIGEON’S CROP 😭 THIS POST IS A LIFESAVER I’M TELLING EVERYONE I KNOW. COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ARE NOT A JOKE. I WORE THEM ON MY LAST TRIP AND FELT LIKE A SUPERHERO.
Kerry Evans
January 27, 2026 AT 13:41People who skip doses on vacation are just asking for trouble. It’s not rocket science. If you can’t manage one pill a day while sipping margaritas on a beach, maybe you shouldn’t be traveling at all. This isn’t a suggestion-it’s a survival protocol.
Susannah Green
January 27, 2026 AT 20:22Don’t forget: if you’re on rivaroxaban, take it WITH FOOD. I learned this the hard way after a 3-hour flight with zero snacks-my INR dropped like a rock. Always eat something, even if it’s just a granola bar. Also, carry a small cooler with ice packs for LMWH. I keep mine in a Ziploc inside my carry-on. Works like a charm.
Kerry Moore
January 28, 2026 AT 18:21The point about time zones and dosing at the same clock time, rather than circadian rhythm, is critical. I’ve seen patients adjust incorrectly and end up with supratherapeutic INRs. This is precisely the kind of nuanced guidance that should be emphasized in patient education materials.
Vanessa Barber
January 29, 2026 AT 02:15So… we’re supposed to believe that one missed pill turns your blood "MORE sticky"? That’s not how anticoagulants work. It’s not magic glue. It’s pharmacokinetics. Also, I’ve flown 20+ times on warfarin and never wore stockings. Still here.
dana torgersen
January 30, 2026 AT 07:45you know what’s wild? we spend so much time worrying about blood clots… but what about the fact that we’re all just… floating in space on this tiny rock? like… what if the real clot is our fear? maybe we should just… stop worrying? 🤔
charley lopez
February 1, 2026 AT 06:09While the article appropriately emphasizes prophylactic measures, the MARVEL trial’s primary endpoint is VTE incidence at 90 days, not peri-flight events. The statistical power is underpowered for low-risk populations. Also, the pharmacokinetic variability of DOACs in elderly patients with renal impairment remains underaddressed in current guidelines.
Sue Stone
February 2, 2026 AT 19:44I just brought my own water bottle and walked every time the plane stopped. No stockings, no drama. I’m 68, on apixaban, and I’ve been to 17 countries. Just move. That’s it.
Anna Pryde-Smith
February 4, 2026 AT 06:55I DIDN’T LISTEN AND I GOT A PULMONARY EMBOLISM ON MY WAY TO BARCELONA. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR TWO WEEKS. MY FAMILY THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE. I’M STILL TERRIFIED OF FLIGHTS. IF YOU’RE ON BLOOD THINNERS-DO NOT SKIP A DOSE. DO NOT IGNORE SWELLING. DO NOT BE A HERO. I’M NOT JUST TALKING-I’M SCREAMING.
Oladeji Omobolaji
February 6, 2026 AT 01:08Back home in Lagos, my cousin took warfarin and flew to Germany last year. No one there had his meds. He had to pay $800 for a 7-day supply. This post is spot-on-bring extra. Also, don’t trust airport pharmacies. They’ll sell you aspirin and call it a day.