Tessa Quinn
Blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are a serious medical condition that can lead to dangerous complications. DVTs most often occur in people with limited mobility, such as those who have recently had surgery or an injury, or who have been in hospital. DVTs typically form in the legs, arms, or groin, and can cause pain and swelling. If a blood clot breaks loose, it can travel to the lungs, resulting in a life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism (PE). To prevent blood clots, individuals should be aware of the risk factors and symptoms, stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothing and compression stockings, and move their arms and legs regularly. Doctors may also prescribe blood-thinning medications to prevent clots from forming or growing larger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risk Factors | Family history, recent long trip, recent surgery or injury, dehydration, hormonal birth control |
| Symptoms | Swelling in the arm or leg, skin redness, soreness or pain in the arm or leg, a warm spot on the leg, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fast heartbeat, fainting, mild fever, cough |
| Prevention | Compression stockings, anticoagulants, thrombolytic therapy, surgery, catheter insertion, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, raising the legs, raising the bottom of the bed, staying mobile |
| Treatment | Blood-thinning medications, thrombolytic medications, catheter-directed treatments, surgical thrombectomy |
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What You'll Learn
Discuss risk factors and family history with your doctor
It is important to discuss risk factors and family history with your doctor to prevent blood clots in hospital. Hospitalization is a major risk factor for dangerous blood clots, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common type of blood clot that forms in the legs, arms, or groin, and can lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE) if the clot travels to the lungs. People with a family history of DVT or PE may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots themselves.
Genetics play a role in blood clotting disorders, and certain DNA changes can cause the blood to clot more easily. For example, factor V Leiden is an inherited disorder that affects one of the clotting factors in the blood. While an inherited disorder may not cause blood clots on its own, it can increase the likelihood when combined with other risk factors. It is important to discuss any family history of blood clotting disorders with your doctor to understand your risk.
In addition to family history, there are other risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing blood clots. These include age, obesity, lack of movement, injury, surgery, and certain medical conditions. Being older than 60 increases the risk of DVT, and obesity is also a contributing factor. Lack of movement, such as sitting for long periods or being on bed rest, can increase the risk of blood clots as muscle contractions help blood flow.
It is important to be proactive in discussing these risk factors with your doctor and understanding your individual risk of developing blood clots. Doctors can provide intervention and prevention plans to reduce the chances of blood clots occurring. This may include medication such as blood thinners or anticoagulants, as well as compression stockings to improve blood flow and reduce leg swelling. By being aware of risk factors and family history, patients can take the necessary steps to prevent blood clots during hospitalization and after returning home.
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Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
Staying hydrated is an important part of preventing blood clots, especially if you are in hospital. Drinking plenty of fluids will help to keep your blood flowing smoothly through your veins. Dehydration can cause your blood to become thicker and more viscous, which will reduce your circulation.
It is recommended that most teenagers and adults drink around 2 litres of water per day, or 8 half-pint glasses. However, this amount can vary depending on a person's size, how active they are, and the weather. For example, larger adults or people who are very active may need to drink 3-4 litres of water per day. Younger children need around 1.5 litres per day.
Water is the healthiest and cheapest option, but it doesn't have to be the only drink you consume. Fruit and herbal teas, squash, cordial, milk, and smoothies can also contribute to your daily fluid intake. Caffeinated drinks can be included, but it is worth noting that they may cause you to excrete more urine, so be mindful of this.
Checking the colour of your urine is a good way to gauge whether you are drinking enough water. After your first wee of the day, which tends to be darker, your urine should be a pale yellow colour and relatively odourless. If you wait until you feel really thirsty, you are already significantly dehydrated, so it is important to stay on top of your fluid intake.
In addition to staying hydrated, there are other measures you can take to prevent blood clots, such as staying active and wearing compression stockings.
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Wear compression stockings to improve blood flow
Compression stockings are an effective way to improve blood flow in your lower legs and prevent blood clots. They are specially designed to provide a gentle squeeze to your legs, improving blood circulation and preventing blood from pooling in the legs. This helps to reduce the chances of blood clots forming.
Compression stockings are tightest around the ankles, with the pressure easing as they go up your leg. This pressure gradient helps to increase the speed and volume of blood flow from your feet back to your heart. By boosting the blood flow in your veins, compression stockings help prevent blood from pooling and clotting. They also aid in reducing leg swelling and pain associated with poor circulation.
Compression stockings are commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot that often occurs in the legs. DVT can have serious complications, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE), which happens when a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Compression stockings help reduce the risk of DVT by improving blood flow and preventing blood clots from forming in the legs.
To get the most out of compression stockings, it is important to wear them correctly. They should be smooth and lie flat against your skin, without bunching or wrinkling. Make sure they are not too long, and avoid folding or rolling the tops down, as this can affect blood flow. Compression stockings are typically worn during the day and removed at night. It is recommended to have two pairs, wearing one pair each day while the other is washed and dried. Replace your stockings every three to six months to maintain their compression and support.
Compression stockings come in various lengths and pressures, and you can choose the most suitable type based on your needs. For DVT, they typically go up to the knee, but thigh-highs and waist-length options are also available. You can purchase them over the counter or get them prescribed by your doctor, depending on the level of compression required.
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Take blood-thinning medications as prescribed
Blood-thinning medications, also known as anticoagulants, are often prescribed to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger. These medications reduce the ability of your blood to form clots, thereby decreasing the risk of developing more clots.
It is imperative to take these medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor to prevent serious side effects. Depending on your condition, you may be required to take blood-thinning pills for three months or longer. Certain blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Jantoven), necessitate regular blood tests to monitor the levels of the drug in the body. Additionally, it is important to be aware that some blood-thinning medications are not safe for pregnant individuals.
During your treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend additional measures to prevent blood clots, such as compression stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices. Compression stockings are special knee-high socks that help prevent blood from pooling in the legs and reduce leg swelling. They are typically worn during the day for several years, if possible. IPC devices, on the other hand, are cuffs wrapped around the foot or lower leg and connected to a pump that intermittently squeezes the cuff to improve blood flow and reduce the chances of clot formation.
Remember to always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of different blood-thinning medications to determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation.
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Move around, or get help moving your arms and legs
Staying mobile is one of the most important ways to prevent blood clots from forming in the body. Blood clots, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), most often occur in people who are immobile or have recently undergone surgery or suffered an injury.
If you are confined to a bed or a wheelchair, it is important to get help moving your arms and legs. Ask a family member or a friend to assist you with this. They can help you perform simple exercises to get your blood flowing, such as raising and lowering your arms, rotating your wrists, and bending and straightening your knees and elbows. If you are able to stand, try to do so at regular intervals. Take a few steps if you can, or ask someone to help you walk.
If you are unable to move around, there are other ways to keep your blood flowing. Compression stockings can help prevent blood from pooling in your legs and reduce the risk of clots forming. These are special knee socks that press on your legs and improve blood flow. Your nurse will show you how to fit them correctly, and you can stop wearing them once your mobility returns to normal. If you are unable to wear stockings, you may be fitted with a cuff that wraps around your foot or lower leg. This is connected to a pump that squeezes the cuff intermittently, helping to push the blood up through the veins.
Remember, it is important to discuss your potential risk factors and family health history with your doctor. Ask if you will need prevention measures for blood clots while in the hospital, and make sure all of your doctors are aware of your risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Blood clots most often form in the legs, arms, or groin and can cause pain and swelling. If a clot moves to your lungs, you may experience breathing difficulties, chest pains, a fast heartbeat, fainting spells, a mild fever, or a cough (with or without blood). This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and requires immediate medical attention.
Blood clots often occur in people who have recently had surgery or an injury, or who are immobile. Other risk factors include having a family history of blood clots, being on hormone replacement therapy or taking the combined oral contraceptive pill, and taking long trips (more than an hour) by car, plane, bus, or train.
Discuss your risk factors and family health history with your doctor and ask for a prevention plan. Make sure all your doctors are aware of your risks. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Blood-thinning medications, also known as anticoagulants, are commonly used to prevent blood clots from forming or getting bigger. Compression stockings can also help prevent blood from pooling in the legs and reduce the chances of a clot forming. In more severe cases, thrombolytic medications can be used to break up existing clots, or surgery may be required to remove the clot.
