Lifestyle Measures
The best way to prevent thrombosis and embolization is to manage your risk factors for blood clots. and to live an overall healthy lifestyle. In general, a lifestyle that promotes heart health and reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer is what you should aim for.
Specific lifestyle changes you can make to prevent blood clots include:
Don’t smokeGet plenty of exerciseAvoid sitting for prolonged periods of timeMaintain a healthy weightReduce sodium intakeTake your medications as prescribed
Additional Preventive Measures
People with certain medical conditions or other special circumstances should consider additional measures to prevent blood clots. People who are immobilized for long periods of time, such as those who travel a lot or are bedridden have a chronically elevated risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism, or have a high risk of acute coronary syndrome or stroke, need to be particularly careful.
Smoking causes acute and chronic inflammation in the blood vessels that accelerates atherosclerosis (leading to heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease) and can cause thrombosis (formation of blood clots). The increased risk for blood clots due to smoking is especially high in women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Prolonged Travel
If you are taking a long trip by airplane or car, your immediate risk of developing DVT increases substantially.
Staying hydrated and wearing compression socks can also help mitigate your risk for DVT during air travel.
Immobilization Due to Hospitalization, Trauma, or Surgery
If you are temporarily immobilized because of trauma, surgery, or hospitalization, you will have an increased risk of DVT. Since you are under medical care, your healthcare provider should institute preventive measures and give you advice on preventing a blood clot.
These measures may include elevating the foot of your bed, doing specific exercises to keep blood moving through your veins, and taking enough pain medication to keep you moving as much as possible. In some cases, a course of anticoagulant medication may be prescribed.
High Risk of DVT or Pulmonary Embolism
Typically, after an episode of DVT or pulmonary embolism, people are treated for a minimum of three months with an anticoagulant drug. Some people, however, are thought to have a chronic risk of recurrent thrombosis and may require long-term anticoagulation therapy. People in this category include those with:
DVT or pulmonary embolism that is already recurrent DVT or pulmonary embolism that was not produced by an identifiable cause (and is therefore likely to come back for “no reason”) Active cancer Genetic propensity to excess blood clotting
Atrial Fibrillation
People with chronic or recurrent atrial fibrillation have a high risk of developing blood clots in the left atrium of the heart. These clots can break off and result in a stroke. People with atrial fibrillation that is not merely transient should be treated with chronic anticoagulation therapy.
High Risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stroke
People who are at high risk of having an episode of acute coronary syndrome (heart attack or unstable angina) should be placed on anti-platelet drugs (such as aspirin or Plavix) to reduce the risk of clot formation in case of a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. Anti-platelet drugs are also used to prevent thrombosis after a stent is placed in a coronary artery.
Anti-platelet drugs are also commonly used to reduce the risk of subsequent strokes in people who have had a thrombotic stroke.
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Not smokingGetting regular exerciseNot sitting for extended periods of timeMaintaining a healthy weightReducing your sodium intakeTaking any medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider
Prescribe a blood thinner, such as warfarin or heparinRecommend that you begin moving around as soon as you’re ableSuggest that you wear compression stockings while you recover
Aim to move around as much as possible, getting up at least once every hourStretch your legs, roll your ankles, and curl your toes while in your seatWear compression socks while travelingStay hydrated
