Information for passengers, pilots, and healthcare workers. As she kicked in the water, part of the clot passed through her heart to her lung and she died. Medical journals say that, during flight, blood coagulability rises steadily, and blood flow slows down, especially in the lower legs.
Blood clots form, usually painlessly, but some cause pain, swelling, even loss of the leg.
If a clot travels to the lung, it can cause pain, fainting, and death. You need to flex your calf muscles during flight. An easy exercise is described on our Passengers page. Most victims are stricken a few days after the flight. They have no idea what is wrong.