People with a previous DVT or PE are at especially high risk of having further clots when immobile or unwell. The blood can also clot more easily with some types of cancer and cancer treatments. The blood also clots more easily in pregnancy as part of the body’s natural preparation for delivery. Increased stickiness of the blood can be a side effect of oestrogen-containing contraceptives and the HRT pill. CausesĭVT and PE can be caused by reduced blood flow as a result of immobility and lack of movement in the legs, and also by damage or compression of the vein wall, for example during surgery. If a piece of clot breaks off, it can travel to the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism or PE. So what is a deep vein thrombosis and what causes it?Ī deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a blood clot forming in the deep veins of the body, usually the leg. When people stopped sitting in deck chairs, the problem was reduced. In 1940, the medical journal “The Lancet” reported that fatal blood clots in the lung called “pulmonary emboli” occurred in people who sat still or slept for prolonged periods of time in deck chairs. In the Second World War, during the Blitz, people took refuge in the London Underground and in air raid shelters.
#Deep vein thrombosis how to#
This information video is about the risks of blood clots after hospital admission, how to reduce the risks and how to recognise when a clot is forming.Įven before we knew about blood clots caused by plane travel and hospital admission, we knew that some things increased the risk of blood clots. Some people may need to stay on low-dose anticoagulant medication long-term or use it prior to long haul flights.Many of you will have heard about the risk of deep vein thrombosis after long haul flights because of scare stories in the media.īlood clots after flights are actually more rare than you might think, but what you may not realise is that blood clots after hospital admission are over 10 times more common than after long haul flights. If you have already had a DVT, it is very important to quit smoking, keep fit and maintain a healthy weight. If you are travelling or are hospitalised, you can reduce your risk of developing DVT by wearing compression stockings, moving your feet and legs as much as possible, and drinking plenty of water. What are the complications of a DVT?īits of the blood clot can break off and travel around the body, affecting the heart or lungs.Īfter having a DVT, the leg can remain swollen and ulcers may develop. You may also be asked to wear compression stockings to bring down the swelling. The person normally needs to stay in hospital when this is given as it can cause bleeding. In very severe cases, a medicine is used to break down the clot. This can be given either as tablets or via injections and you will probably need to take it for several months. If you have DVT, you will be treated with medicine that reduces blood clotting (called anticoagulant medication). If the doctor thinks there is a risk that part of the blood clot has travelled to your lungs, they may order a chest CT scan. A blood test called a D-dimer test can also be done to help detect blood clots. To diagnose DVT, the doctor will need to talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to look for signs of DVT, such as swelling and pain.Īfter this, if your doctor thinks you may have DVT, they may suggest you have an ultrasound. Some people with spontaneous DVTs have a genetic condition that makes their blood more likely to clot. So are people who are overweight, or who smoke.ĭVT can also happen spontaneously, with no apparent cause. Women who are pregnant or who have recently had a baby are also at increased risk of DVT.
The main signs and symptoms of DVT are pain and swelling usually in the calf or thigh.
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