Summer Vacation: Is Long-Distance Travel Safe with Painful Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins, while not inherently dangerous by themselves, are an indication of a compromised circulatory system, specifically the part that returns deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart.

And while not everyone has symptoms with varicose veins — the colored, ropy protrusions on your legs and feet — they can be painful or itchy. If you’re experiencing symptoms, is it safe to travel long-distance for your summer vacation?

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, with locations in Hibbing, Duluth, and Ely, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins and our team diagnose and treat varicose veins. If you’re planning a long-distance vacation this summer, here’s what the team recommends.

What are varicose veins?

Your circulatory system is composed of two parts: the arteries that carry oxygenated blood away from your heart and to your body’s tissues and the veins that carry deoxygenated blood back from the tissues to the heart.

Arteries have the force of the heart pumping on their side, as well as the pull of gravity, to assist with distributing blood to the periphery. On the other hand, veins have to pump the blood upward against the pull of gravity, making it much harder to accomplish.

The body has developed two ways to address the problem. The first is that the muscles in the thighs and calves contract, squeezing the veins and pushing the blood forward. The second is a network of one-way valves that snap shut once the blood has passed by, preventing backflow. The valves are delicate, though, and they can be easily damaged, often by high blood pressure.

If you have a damaged valve, it may not close completely, allowing blood to back up and pool around the damaged area, which can cause swelling in the vein. If the vein is near the surface of the skin, you see the protrusions as varicose veins.

The problem that leads to varicose vein development is known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), as the blood flow is insufficient to deliver enough oxygen and other nutrients to the body’s tissues.

Complications of varicose veins

While varicose veins themselves aren’t a serious condition, they can lead to other problems that are. One of the most common is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. These clots further impede blood flow in the veins, potentially blocking it altogether.

Additionally, pieces of the clot (or the clot itself) can break off from the vein wall and travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, particularly the lungs. If they become lodged in your airway, they may prevent you from being able to breathe. This condition is known as a pulmonary embolism, and it’s life-threatening.

Varicose veins can also lead to later stages of vein disease, such as edema (swelling), venous stasis dermatitis (skin discoloration caused by the breakdown of hemoglobin in the blood), and slow-healing leg ulcers, which can become infected and possibly lead to amputation.

Is long-distance travel safe with painful varicose veins?

If your varicose veins are symptomatic, it’s possible to travel, but you’ll need to take some precautions.

Talk to your doctor before you go

Your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe to fly with your condition and what precautions you should take, especially if the flight is long.

Have up-to-date information with you

You should bring the contact information for a doctor and/or the closest medical center to your destination, as well as have online access to your medical records, including your latest vaccination records.

Choose the right clothing

Wear comfortable shoes and compression socks, especially if you’ll be on a plane for more than eight hours or 3,100 miles. If it’s possible, try to elevate your feet above your chest during the flight to reduce the risk of clots forming. 

Move around during the flight

While you can’t exactly go for a long walk, make sure to get up at least once every two hours to keep your circulation going and prevent clot formation.

Stay hydrated

Make sure to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which slows blood flow. And if you need to go to the bathroom, that counts as getting up and moving around, so it achieves two objectives.

If you're interested in more tips for traveling with varicose veins or seeking treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bollins by calling our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

We proudly accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, UCare, Medica, and Security Health Plan.