British Airways conducts new DVT study

The airline is approaching 1,000 of its most frequent flyers to help researchers from the university’s Public Health and Epidemiology department.

The research study will examine the passengers’ awareness of DVT and any precautionary measures they are taking to reduce their exposure to the condition. 

British Airways is currently involved with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the development of a broad research programme that intends to look at all aspects of travellers’ thrombosis and air travel. 

Dr David Flower, one of the airline’s senior consultant occupational physicians, said: "We have accumulated a great deal of knowledge and experience about the effects of air travel on the body helping us to develop a ‘well being’ programme designed to enhance passenger comfort before, during and after flying.

"Travellers’ thrombosis is clearly an issue for which many air travellers have concerns. As an airline, we believe that more research and a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the condition will be of benefit to everyone. Hence, whilst discussions continue with the WHO, we have agreed to assist the University of Birmingham Medical School."

Dr John Townend, consultant cardiologist at University Hospital Birmingham, is supervising the project. He said: "This is an important piece of work in an area where there is, as yet, little published research. It is important to establish the current level of awareness of DVT amongst those who fly frequently and particularly the level of precautions being taken by experienced air travellers."

Well Being in the air

For nearly a decade, British Airways has provided its passengers with advice about well being in the air through information in ticket wallets, on the internet, on-board videos, over the phone and in the in-flight magazine.

New measures the airline has taken recently include the introduction of a Healthy Journey leaflet which goes into every ticket wallet, a health website and regular health and well being articles in the airline’s in-flight magazine High Life.

The on-board Well Being programme includes helpful advice including a series of pilates exercises which passengers can carry out in their seats or seat area. 

Any passengers concerned about their fitness to fly can also ring the airline’s Passenger Medical Clearance Unit.

The airline’s advice to avoid the development of DVT for all passengers includes:

· Drink adequate fluids

· Avoid smoking

· Avoid beverages which contain alcohol and/or caffeine both before and during the flight

· Avoid crossing legs when seated

· Walk around the cabin whenever you can

· Stand up in your seat area and stretch your arms and legs from time to time

· Carry out the foot and leg exercises advised in the ‘Well Being’ section of the British Airways HighLife in-flight magazine

· Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes when travelling

In addition, passengers with any of the risk factors listed previously are advised to seek medical advice before travelling. In particular, they should discuss:

· The advisability of anti-embolic stockings

· The advisability of low dose aspirin before the flight

· The advisability of anti-coagulant medication or other prophylactic measures before flight.