It also would be interesting to know if the degree of dehydration - either from the long-haul flight or the marathon itself - may contribute to a hypercoagulable condition.  I also remember a study years ago that quantified the amount of beer consumed pre- and post- race among runners which, of course, also could contribute to the dehydration. Perhaps monitoring wt change and/or BUN/Creatinine values "peri-race" and/or indicators of muscle "trauma" would be interesting.

I'm not a physician; I'm a person who has experienced several cardiac issues including a thrombus & TIA after a five hour drive.   I personally feel there is a connection.  I experience swelling in the legs when driving for a couple of hours or more. 

I currently run 3-5 miles, 4-5 times per week.

FYI:
I had a  heart attack, at age 48, no prior symptoms, cholesterol 135, exercised regularly, & weight w/in BMI.

Noticed leg swelling the next year after the heart attack.

Had the Thrombus & TMI at age 52.

 

Some evidence already exists re air travel risk in endurance athletes and eg elite soccer teams. Some heve recommended support stockings. Do you think one of the new anticoags eg Pradax taken day of travel, day of and day after event  might be lhelpful?

Thanks

Andrew Farquhar MD

 As someone who has run 4 open marathons and 3 Ironman races I think the hydration issue huge.The amount of damage being done to the muscles during a long hard event and the quantity of metabolic waste generated requires copius amounts of fluid to flush out.  Also more and more endurance athletes are wearing compression socks or calf sleeves both during and after the events, I do. As a pharmacist I'm a fan of Pradaxa, but as an athlete no way would I take it for prophylaxis.

Hello ,

Usually we think that young athlets are "free" of certain diaseses . but to my opinion they should not be preliminary accepted like that .

A hypercoagulability state that coluld be manifested as DVT/PE is to be ruled out in long distances travelers , without any connection of being athelt or not .

I think that preventive actions sholud be taken -  

Examples -

1- A family history of hypercoagulability should be taken ( sometimes it is difficult to get this information , or because it is un-known yet or because of the origin of the athlet - a developing country with less medical proggresion). for example

2- Contraceptive pills and immobilization ( from any reson) can evoke a DVT/PE - (I  already had few of those in hospital) - so each athlet woman on contraceptives sholud have blood tets taken to rule out hidden hypercoagulability state - ex- factor v leiden , APCR ecc.

 3- Rule out extra cervical rib- that can cause TOS ( thoracic outlet syndrome) 

I thank you in advance ,

Rita Cohen , MD

Specialist in internal medicine and emergency  medicine

Senior doctor in hospital and practicing a private clinic  

You started and continued for 80% of your Blog on the Lab abnormalities.

We have to, for the present accept these, but no where in the first 80% of your blog was there a clinical study re events.

As a surprise, as you were signing off, you introduced DVT & PE..with out any evidence or studies...just a scare tactic AT THIS POINT.

Not a well thought out BLOG.