New Podcast on Travel-Related Blood Clots

Travel can be stressful and made even more difficult if one is not feeling well. 

Blood clots can form in the deep veins (veins below the surface not visible through the skin) of your legs during travel as a result of sitting still in a confined space for a long time. The longer you are immobile, the greater your risk of developing a blood clot. Many times, the blood clot will dissolve on its own. However, a serious health problem can occur when a part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, causing a blockage. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it may be fatal. However, there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of blood clots during a long-distance trip.



Blood clots that develop during travel can happen to anyone, especially those who are pregnant, have a family history of blood clots, are currently receiving treatment for cancer, or have recently been hospitalized or had surgery.

CDC wants to help you have a safe trip—the key is knowing how to prevent blood clots while traveling and what to do if you or a loved one shows signs or symptoms of a blood clot. There are simple steps that you can take to prevent a blood clot when traveling a great distance during the holiday season. For the first step to a safe journey, consider listening to CDC’s podcast: “Blood Clots and Travel: What You Should Know” and sharing it with your family and friends. This podcast highlights the importance of knowing your risks for a blood clot and how to reduce risk when planning a long-distance trip. You will also learn the signs and symptoms of a blood clot so that you can get treatment right away if needed.

To learn more about travel-related blood clots, details about the factors that can increase your risk for a blood clot, and ways to reduce your risk of developing a travel-related blood clot, listen to our podcast.

To learn more about blood clots in general, visit our blood clots homepage. For more information about travel-related blood clots, visit our webpage focused on travel-related clots.