Further information can be found from NHS.uk or Thrombosis UK.Blood clots are a serious medical condition. If you would like any more information or have any questions, please ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Who can you contact for more information? If you suspect you may have DVT or PE, you should seek medical advice immediately either from your GP or nearest A&E (Emergency Department). Pain in your chest that is worse when you breath inīoth DVT and PE are serious conditions that require urgent investigation and treatment.In some cases, there may be no signs or symptoms of DVT at all in the leg. Redness (particularly at the back of your leg below the knee)ĭVT usually (although not always) affects one leg.If you have a leg injury and require lower limb immobilisation (eg plaster cast), your risk of VTE and bleeding will be assessed in A&E, UCC and/or Fracture Clinic. If you are admitted to hospital, a doctor or a nurse will assess your risk of DVT and PE. Will your risk of blood clots be assessed? If you keep your knees straight during the exercise you will stretch your calf muscles.Here is a simple exercise you can do, even when you are lying in bed, to help your blood to move around your body: How can you help reduce your risk of blood clots? For example, you may be offered medication known as ‘blood thinners’-heparin injection is commonly used and is of animal (pig) origin-to thin your blood and prevent blood clots.Ĭompression stockings may be offered to help the blood flow in in your veins-please discuss with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any concerns. Preventative measures-will be considered if you are identified at increased risk of VTE and if appropriate.Medications-talk to your doctor if you are taking the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy tablets and if you think you have a number of risk factors for VTE.Take care on journeys-for any long journeys, try to move your legs regularly and take breaks.Keep mobile-move around as much as possible and do some foot exercises.What can you do to reduce the risk of developing blood clots? If you are taking a certain contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy tablets.If you are immobile (eg unwell and confined to your bed) or if you have a leg injury and have a plaster cast or limited movement.If you have certain illnesses such as active cancer, heart failure, lung disease or infections (eg.
If you have previously had DVT or PE, or a close member of your family (parents or brothers and sisters) has had DVT or PE.If you are older than 60 years of age-the risk of VTE is higher the older you are (but young people can also get blood clots).If you have more than one of these factors, you may be considered to be at increased risk: There are several factors that may increase the chances of developing VTE. VTE is one of the most common preventable causes of hospital deaths.More people die from VTE than the total deaths from HIV, breast cancer and road traffic accidents.Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)ĭVT and PE are known under the collective term of venous thromboembolism (VTE). PE may cause breathing difficulties and chest pain, and may be fatal. Sometimes the DVT (blood clot) in the leg breaks off and travels to the arteries of the lung where it will cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT in the leg or the pelvis can cause pain and swelling in the leg and may result in lifelong disability with painful leg swelling, varicose veins and leg ulcers. DVT can block off or reduce the flow of blood in the vein. We hope it answers some of the questions you may have.ĭeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common medical condition which occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or the pelvis. It will also discuss the signs and symptoms of blood clots. This information has been produced by the hospital Thrombosis and Thromboprophylaxis Group to help explain how a blood clot can develop and become a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a pulmonary embolism (PE).
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