Sherry Ott is a brand ambassador who is compensated for promoting Allianz Travel Insurance products and services.

The saying, "I didn't think this could happen to me," often precedes tales of unforeseen peril. It was a phrase that played on a loop in my mind as the doctor diagnosed me with three pulmonary emboli lodged in my lungs. The casual rhythm of my breath, once taken for granted, had become a battleground for survival.

Returning home from a spectacular two-week sojourn across India with my niece—a trip filled with wonder and the joy of sharing her first international travel experience—my post-vacation fatigue was suddenly overshadowed by a stark medical urgency. The disorientation of jet lag paled in comparison to the shock of learning how close I had come to the brink of death.

I stood in the urgent care parking lot, prescription for blood thinners in hand, bewildered by the day's events. The clinic's sliding doors closed behind me, sealing away the rapid-fire medical intervention of injections, pills, and stern warnings. Now, in the quiet of the evening, I retraced the events leading to my diagnosis, recognizing the ominous signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) that had masqueraded as mere travel fatigue while I was abroad.

Blood Clot Awareness Month (March) is a campaign I had casually noted in the past, dismissing it as a concern for others—those advanced in age, those less active, or those recovering from surgery. However, this affliction does not discriminate. At 48, fitness and an active lifestyle as a travel writer had been my presumed shield against such health scares. This experience was a jarring testament that the risk of blood clots can loom over anyone.

Understanding DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

DVT is a condition where blood clots form in a deep vein, often in the leg. Left unchecked, these clots can break free and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE)—a blockage that disrupts blood flow and oxygenation. It's a sinister health crisis that can escalate without warning, claiming lives within moments.

While the perils of sedentary lifestyles are widely publicized, the specific dangers associated with prolonged immobility during travel are less so. Many forms of travel inherently involve long periods of sitting—whether on flights, train journeys, or road trips—placing travelers at risk regardless of age or health status.

My Personal Brush with Blood Clots

The journey that brought me to this precarious juncture was a 14-hour overnight flight from Newark to Delhi. As a seasoned traveler, I have strategies to mitigate the risks associated with long-haul flights, such as selecting an aisle seat for ease of movement. However, this time, in a gesture of auntly affection, I offered the coveted window seat to my niece, confining myself to the middle seat. Coupled with a couple of glasses of wine, my usual vigilance in preventing clot formation gave way to accommodation and a desire not to disturb my seatmates.

This sitting and lack of movement for a prolonged time is likely what made the blood clots form on the flight. In addition, I take estrogen which also increases my susceptibility to blood clots. Women are more at risk of blood clots because of this.

In the aftermath of the flight, while navigating the vibrant chaos of Delhi, my left calf began to ache—a sensation I attributed to the city's oppressive humidity and my jetlagged state. It was an error in judgment that could have cost me dearly.

The following days saw the emergence of a chest pain, and a persistent cough—telltale signs of PE. Yet, I was oblivious to the unfolding emergency, instead ascribing my discomfort to Delhi's notorious air quality. My return flight home was another prolonged period of immobility that likely exacerbated the condition.

Back home, when the symptoms intensified, the alarm bells in my mind finally rang with urgency. The incessant cough, the pain that intensified upon reclining, and the unrest of disturbed sleep—these were symptoms I could no longer ignore. A phone call to my doctor and a detailed account of my symptoms and recent travels led to an immediate directive: go to Urgent Care.

It was there that I found out I was living with 3 pulmonary emboli (PE) in my lungs.

The Importance of Education and Prevention

The ordeal that followed was a stark education on the hazards of DVT and PE. It is a lesson I now share fervently, determined not to let the risks of travel go unspoken. As a travel writer, my mission is to inspire others to explore the world, not instill fear. Yet, with this experience comes a responsibility to educate on safe travel practices.

Recognizing the symptoms of DVT and PE is critical:

• Swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in a limb can indicate a clot.
• Difficulty breathing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and lightheadedness are warning signs of a PE.

Preventative measures are straightforward yet vital:

• Taking low-dose aspirin can reduce the risk by thinning the blood. Start this regimen 2 days before your trip and continue during your trip.
• Regular movement every couple of hours is essential to maintain circulation. I set a timer on my phone to remind me to get up every two hours to walk and stretch.
• Staying hydrated helps keep blood vessels dilated and blood flowing smoothly. Don’t overdo it on alcohol which is dehydrating.
• Compression socks provide a simple yet effective method of promoting circulation. The recommended compression for helping prevent DVT is between 30 and 40 mmHg. Since my experience I have become an ambassador for the fashion compression sock company VIM & VIGR.  I never go on a trip without them! Here’s a few more tips for how to choose and wear the socks.

Above all, travel insurance is an indispensable safeguard. While I was fortunate to avoid a medical crisis in India, my Allianz annual plan stood as a reassuring safety net.

Upon diagnosis, my foremost question was whether travel was still in my future. The answer, thankfully, was affirmative, with the caveat of prudence. Adhering to preventative measures, ensuring comprehensive travel insurance, and maintaining a heightened awareness of health while exploring the globe are the keystones of continued travel adventures.

Sherry Ott is a long time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and stories of unique adventures to intriguing destinations. You can see more at Ottsworld.com and @Ottsworld on social media.