With more than two billion passengers flying each year, about 150,000 cases of travel-related blood clots are diagnosed annually. Pregnant women with other risk factors, such as inherited blood problems, obesity and recent surgery, may face a higher blood clot risk, however. Although the risk depends on individual factors, women with a history of blood clots tend to have a 4% higher risk while pregnant, and those with hormonal-associated blood clots tend to have a 6% higher risk while pregnant. Skeith and colleagues are now studying whether aspirin can prevent blood clots in postpartum women with risk factors for clots. “We desperately need more research to better prevent blood clots in pregnant and postpartum women,” Skeith said.

Source: National Post December 26, 2019 21:33 UTC