No matter where you sit on a flight, 'economy class syndrome' is a medical issue that can occur.

The phenomenon known as "economy class syndrome" can affect individuals of any social class while flying.

Blood clots in one or more veins cause deep vein thrombosis, commonly referred to as DVT.

Long-haul flights increase the risk of cardiovascular problems in travelers, according to Dr. Pinakin V. Parekh, a consultant cardiologist at Singapore's Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre.

"According to CNBC Travel, people in better classes of air travel, such as business and first class, have more space to move around and stretch their legs. Therefore, it's all about the real estate in the plane."

Parekh emphasizes that "economy class syndrome" does not differentiate based on seat location or frequency of travel.

""Patients who travel in business class can still develop DVT, and it could be their last flight if they don't move," he stated."

What increases the risks

Mayo Clinic states that deep vein thrombosis typically occurs in the legs and can manifest as pain, swelling, changes in skin color, and a sensation of warmth. However, some individuals may not exhibit any symptoms at all.

According to the medical center, individuals who are obese, over the age of 60, smoke, take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

But flying carries its own risks, said Parekh.

One patient in 5,000 flights can develop DVT due to the risk of air travel, according to him.

Long-haul flights increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, but it can also occur on shorter flights, according to him.

""Long haul flights were previously defined as lasting eight hours, but recent data suggests that even four hours is now considered sufficient," he stated."

As a result of a four-hour flight from Singapore to Hong Kong, Alok Tapadia, a 52-year-old former businessman in the banking industry, developed deep vein thrombosis.

After arriving in Hong Kong, he knew something was wrong when he became breathless while walking up a flight of stairs, despite saying he plays badminton three times a week.

"He said that one of the escalators had stopped working, so he took the stairs. "I had to pause for a moment and ponder what had happened to me," he added."

He went for a check-up in Singapore after returning, still breathless and with an elevated heart rate.

Doctors informed him that a clot had migrated to the pulmonary artery linking his heart and lungs.

An enlarged heart, caused by the heart pumping too hard, was revealed in his first scan, resulting in his immediate admission to the hospital's intensive care unit.

The doctors discovered that he had a "massive" oxygen deficiency and his lungs were completely obstructed, he admitted.

Doctors warned that the heart was under immense pressure, which could have resulted in an arrest or a more critical stage at any moment, according to Tapadia.

Blood thinners didn't dissolve the clot fast enough, he said.

Tapadia said that after his doctors tried various treatments, they ultimately had to resort to cardiac catheterization, which involved threading a catheter through his blood vessels near his heart to dissolve the blood clot from the inside.

Tips to reduce DVT

A potentially life-threatening complication known as pulmonary embolism can occur when a blood clot from deep vein thrombosis breaks free and gets stuck in a blood vessel in a lung, according to Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms such as breathlessness and chest pains can occur when a clot moves into the lungs, as stated by Parekh.

While flying, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of deep vein thrombosis, says Parekh. However, there are ways to reduce the risk, he adds.

The Mayo Clinic advises consuming ample water, moving around the plane during flight, rotating your ankles while seated, and wearing compression socks.

Parekh has one simple tip for flyers: choose an aisle seat.

Parekh suggests that walking up and starting to walk becomes easier when you're fully inside the row because you're always concerned about disturbing the person next to you.

Tapadia stated that more than a year has passed since he resumed his usual routine, which involves traveling and playing badminton. However, he admitted that he has made some changes to his travel habits, starting from the airport.

He prefers to walk through the airport and up and down the aisles while flying, he said.

His advises travelers to pay attention to their health and any warning signs.

"This episode really shakes you up," he remarked.