As it is recommended to avoid prolonged periods of standing or sitting when you have varicose veins, many patients find themselves asking whether it is safe to fly given their venous condition.
On their own, varicose veins should not prevent you from traveling; however, there are some safety precautions that you can take to safely fly with varicose veins. Three things to remember when flying with varicose veins are:
- Wearing compression stockings
- Staying hydrated
- Exercising safely
When flying with varicose veins it is recommended to wear compression stockings to maintain proper circulation in the legs. At Canada Vein Clinics, we recommend that you wear 20-30mm Hg thigh-high compression stockings when flying. Check out this link to see how to measure yourself for a pair of compression stockings, you may purchase a pair on our website. It is also crucial that when flying with vein conditions you stay well hydrated. This is vital in order for the blood in your lower extremities to remain thin, which prevents the blood from clotting.
A final step that is encouraged to take when traveling with varicose veins is to aim to get your legs moving for 5-10 minutes for every hour that you are traveling. This could be done by either safely walking up and down the aisle of the aircraft if possible, or if you feel more comfortable staying in your seat, we suggest that you do seated leg exercises. Effective leg exercises include alternating or simultaneous heel raises, and alternating or simultaneous toe raises (while keeping the heel on the ground).
Contact us!
At Canada Vein Clinics we specialize in the treatment of varicose veins. We offer numerous treatments for this condition and help to find the best treatment for you. Book a consultation to find out more information! Give us a call today at 1-888-876-8346 , or email us at askdoctor@canadaveinclinics.ca.
