Are you worried about your Blood Clots?
Blood Clots can cause serious harm as they can prevent blood from flowing to vital organs in the body, this can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other serious medical issues.
There are a number of things you can do in your lives to reduce the risk of blood clots, general lifestyle changes that can have a positive effect include:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Quitting smoking
- Regular physical activity (exercise, walking)
- Wearing less restrictive clothing
You are susceptible to blood clots during long periods of sitting down such as long distance travel. To combat this you could take short walks intermittently throughout these periods, or wear compression socks that promote blood flow.
It is important to be aware of the signs of blood clots and the damaging effects they can have on the body, urgent medical treatment may be needed if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Struggling to breathe
- Coughing up blood
- Loss of sensation, insensitivity or numbness in your face or limbs
- Struggling to speaking or hold conversation
- Deterioration in quality of eyesight
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Antiphospholipid syndrome
- Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis
- Certain medications
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Factor V Leiden
- Family history of blood clots
- Heart arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems)
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Obesity
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Polycythemia vera
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged sitting or bed rest
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in an artery in the lung)
- Smoking
- Stroke
- Surgery
How to prevent blood clots?
Blood clots are more common in people who are overweight, regularly smoke, have experienced a blood clot before or are immobile following hospitalisation or surgery. There are many reasons may blood clots may occur, therefore, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing a blood clot. Blood clots can be prevented by the following:
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time without moving
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid excessive alcohol
- Stay active by taking regular walks