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Aisle seat is healthier alternative
If you're worried about blood clots, sit on the aisle. A recent study from Lahey Clinic Medical Center confirmed that getting bumped by the beverage cart can help keep deep-vein thrombosis away. The research team found that 75 percent of these cases occurred among non-aisle passengers, because they were not moving enough. Flights lasting between four and eight hours were worst. It's not just a matter of leg room. Window seats in business class led to the same results. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep yourself healthy. Put on compression stockings, and you'll reduce the blood clot risk. If this is too cumbersome for you, try drinking plenty of water ... and avoiding alcohol and caffeine (well, that might actually be harder).
Before you loosen your seatbelt and move freely throughout the cabin, just make sure the "fasten seatbelt" light is off and that you're not blocking the meal service. Hungry, thirsty passengers can put your health at risk, too.
[Via MSNBC]
10 tips for smarter flying
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sally Feb 26th 2009 8:17AM
I guess the stewardesses from UNITED, will be glad to hear that the "IDIOTS" in coach, are getting blood clots!
Niels Feb 26th 2009 8:38AM
This is downright pathetic. Instead of making their time worthwhile, and studying things which could change the planet for the better, our world's top universities are studying which airline seat is the healthiest to sit in. These are some screwed up times we live in.
Angelika Feb 26th 2009 10:26AM
Sorry, you feel that way, Niel...
But having a genetic blood disorder myself that increases my risk for bloodclots 80 fold, I am very happy that there are people who are actually studdying "healthy" seats in an airplane.
And it is not rare, about 4-7 % of the genearl population has this blodd clotting disorder, most are not even aware of it.
Maybe next time you are so quick to judge to try to educate yourself first.
P.S. If you are of european ancestry you might want to get tested yourself.
With kind regards,
A.
Niels Feb 26th 2009 10:42AM
I'm sorry, but I don't need any 'education'. I'm a type 1 diabetic. Regardless of my attempts at controlling it, my blood is thick as Jell-O and can hardly make its way through my bloodstreams. If anybody would benefit from a "healthy" airplane seat, it would be me. Nevertheless, it is a waste of time. It is like trying to study how many times it takes to get to the center of a bloody Tootsie-Pop. I really can't believe it takes a whole damn medical school to tell us that sitting still can lead to blood clots. I mean, put two and two together.
Jason Feb 26th 2009 10:52AM
It is pretty sad that people are actually putting time into studies like this. All people have to do is exercise on a regular basis and keep there muscles in good shape. That is what circulates the blood back to your heart from your legs. This is why the compression sock is used to do the squeezing that your out of shape muscles are not doing to get the blood back to your heart. Angelika you are a complete tool. If you have a problem flying do not do it. This random study that is most likely a load of bull and coincidence at that proves nothing and helps no one. Most of these studies are not wide enough to be accurate in the first place. Look at the orange juice thing, how many times did they go back and forth with weather or not it is good for you?
joe Feb 26th 2009 10:55AM
For people who fly, this is not useless information.
Jamey Feb 26th 2009 12:12PM
Did someone really say that we should not be studying this? I agree we should in no way be looking into anything that is killing people. Save all that money from those frivolous AIDS studies and put it somewhere more important too alright.
Penny Feb 26th 2009 12:44PM
Hmmmm, I always have a window seat. I wear compression stockings when flying. I 'walk' my feet up and down. I also swivel my ankles around, more like lying in bed and doing ankle exercises. I feel I have more room to do this without bothering someone when I have a window seat.
Perhaps I should consider an aisle seat where I could stand up? I'm not quite sure about that.
jb Mar 1st 2009 1:25PM
I think the airlines are horrible to squeeze people into such small spaces for long periods of time. This is inhumane, should be illegal in light of the serious health issues, and since everyone can't have an aisle seat, this is an inappropriate solution. The airlines should (on their own or by FAA mandate) take out some seats and give appropriate leg room... they used to have adequate room. I'm only 5'5" and slender and it's not enough room for me. If the airlines don't correct, the people will just have to file law suits and show the airlines in the pocket book. I'm not an advocate of lawsuits, but this has gone way too far and the FAA isn't protecting us.
Theresa Feb 26th 2009 1:51PM
Count the amount of seats on the plane, then count the aisles. Chances are most people will never get an aisle seat. If your worried about blood clotting from sitting work out before flying. It's impossible to get an aisle seat most of the time so don't expect to get one when you fly. Excepting or expecting to be seated on the plane in the seats that are available which include windows and center seats will make your travel more pleasant when you don't get an aisle.
Rach Feb 26th 2009 3:00PM
You know, I truly have mixed feelings about this. I do believe that there are better things to be studying but on the same note this is useful information, especially for people who are more prone to blood clots.
Regular exercise and healthy dieting practices are a large part of preventing blood clots. Also taking extra precautions as getting the compression socks may be of some form of extra help.
But honestly whether you sit in the middle, aisle, or window, if you want to get up for a few minutes and walk around you surely have the right to. It may be annoying to the other passengers you are sitting by, but if the airlines weren't so greedy and smushed people together it would be more comfortable and there would be more room.
So basically if you take care of your body and take extra measures like the compression socks then no matter where you sit, you will live. If you're gonna get a blood clot, then you will get a blood clot...simple as that.
BumbleBee Feb 26th 2009 10:36PM
Oh for goodness sake!!!
Medical students have to do studies like this, and try to keep them original. No body is taking anything from anybody by doing this study.