Flexing the foot upward or walking increases calf pain. If the clot breaks lose, it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Treatment Loosen constrictive clothing. The patient should be carried down from altitude. Prevention Dehydration can predispose one to blood clots.
Hydration is important for prevention.
Exercise feet and legs a few minutes every hour if bad weather confines the group to tents. Be careful of constrictive clothing, such as tight gaiters. Start out sleeping at altitudes below 10,000 feet and spend two to three nights there before going higher. For every 2,000 to 3,000 feet gained, plan to spend an extra night acclimatizing to the new altitude. Climb high and sleep low.