If you’re planning an upcoming getaway this summer that involves sitting in one position for an extended period of time by airplane or car, it’s good to be aware of your risk for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or pulmonary embolism. Sitting in one position for extended periods can potentially cause the development of blood clots in the legs.

Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Ross Tobleman, MD, at Scott & White Hospital - Round Rock says "A DVT can be diagnosed with a sonogram and treated with a blood thinner. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 100,000 people in the United States die each year from pulmonary embolisms - blood clots in the lung - brought on by deep vein thrombosis.

Dr. Tobleman goes on to say that “symptoms of a large clot come on suddenly and include sharp chest pain, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sudden death."

Remember to get up and walk around and stretch your legs often on long trips.