How To Prevent Blood Clots – What Works and What Not?
Blood clots most commonly develop in leg veins, and not everyone knows about their development in their veins. Medically, such Blood Clots are widely recognized as Deep Vein Thrombosis, i.e., DVT. DVT is often found in large veins, the pelvis, and leg veins.
So, first of all, let’s see what Blood Clotting is:
Commonly, when we have a simple cut on our skin, Blood clotting is needed to stop the blood flow. It is because if we lose more amount of Blood, that might be life-threatening, especially in case of severe injury caused by accidents or unwanted incidents.
But when blood clots are formed, they are supposed to develop into the injured/ healing part of the body – not inside the blood vessels or in central veins. Otherwise, such blood clotting might lead to higher blood thickness, and serious issues might occur. And then you will need immediate medical attention.
If a cut, injury, or trauma to our body or skin causes damage to the blood vessels, our body’s system immediately reacts. That activates platelets and tries to stop the bleeding.
Now, what are Platelets? They are tiny particles that lie in the Blood from the bone marrow. They help to prevent blood loss by becoming a barrier to further bleeding. Throughout the Platelet clotting process, several types of proteins are associated.
Such proteins are Collagen, Thrombin, Von Willebrand factor, etc. They help form the barrier to Blood flowing through the skin, and this formation of blood clots is called Coagulation.
How to Prevent Blood Clots:
Table of Contents
Blood clots can be a severe medical condition and require immediate medical attention and treatment. Read below about How to Prevent Blood Clots and, along with that, also get information about what works and what does not on Blood Clots:
First of all, let’s get to know about Reasons for Blood Clotting:
Causes of Blood Clots:
- If you have undergone major surgery recently, there is a possibility that blood clotting might take place,
- Those who are older, i.e., people of 65 years or more, have the chance of suffering from blood clotting.
- Women consume birth control hormones or any other hormones.
- People who have cancer or those who are being treated for cancer have a higher risk of developing blood clots.
- Suppose you have a broken bone—such as a Hip, Pelvis, Leg, or any other prominent bone—throughout the treatment duration. In that case, you may develop blood clots in the injured body part. A significant bump or bruise can also cause blood clotting.
- For people who recently had a stroke or have been paralyzed then, the risk is higher.
- Varicose/ Var-e-kos or any other bad veins can also be the reason for developing blood clots.
- Any significant issues or conditions related to the heart might get you into even major trouble other than the heart clotting Blood.
- Inheritance: If you have a family member or blood relative who is suffering from a blood clot issue, then there’s a possibility that you might also inherit this issue.
- Travelers tend to develop Blood clotting more often as they have to sit for extended hours throughout the journey and have minimal leg movement.
- Obesity can also be among the significant reasons behind blood clotting.
If you come under any of the categories mentioned above of conditions, you need to check up on your body to prevent blood clots. And if you already have blood clotting issues, then here are some of the essential tips regarding How to Prevent Blood Clots: How to Prevent Blood Clots:
1. Clothes:
I prefer wearing loose-fitting garments throughout my routine. Also, I wear loose-fitting socks or stockings, which makes my body feel relaxed. That way, it will help my skin and body feel not only comfortable but also let it breathe and prevent blood clots due to tightening clothes.
2. Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are a particular kind of socks that most doctors prescribe to those who have a blood clotting history or current issues. These specific stockings will help you overcome the problem.
3. Exercise Regularly
Your doctor might already have suggested you some of the exercises which will help your overall body. Through such specific activities, your body will be active and fit; hence, no Blood clotting issues will arise.
4. Keep Changing Your Position
Whether you are sitting or standing consistently, you need to keep changing your position more often. Especially for those who have long trips, they often need to change their sitting place to keep their body and joints active.
5. Don’t Sit/ Stand Constantly
Most jobs are associated with sitting behind a desk and require minimal body movements. Under such conditions, if you too have one of such jobs, then you need to do some physical activity to keep your body active. Sitting or standing constantly will give your body aches and will hurt your physique, too – none of these is good for your body.
6. Keep Moving Your Body!
Even when you have to sit or stand continuously, you can keep your body moving. You can engage your calf muscles and also try squeezing veins; such activity will help keep the joints active and help prevent blood clots.
7. Less Salt Consumption
Most commonly, everyone loves the salty taste and hence eats salty foods throughout the day. However, consuming less salt will help you prevent blood clots. It will help to thin the Blood to the regular thickness, and hence, there will be no further issues associated with blood clotting.
8. Don’t Use Pillows
Some of us might habitually place pillows under our legs, especially our knees. But not everyone is aware that it is a bad habit. Using such a device won’t harm your legs and joints. So, if you habitually place the extra pillow under your knees, try to get rid of it slowly.
9. Don’t Cross Legs More Often
This is also one of the most common habits which almost everyone has. But sitting cross-legged damages your legs and joints. Slowly but steadily, get rid of this habit, too, and try sitting in a well-adjusted and comfortable position that does not harm the joints of your legs.
10. Stay Active
To make necessary changes to your lifestyle, staying active is essential; it is because of the joints of our body. Staying active will help you to stay healthy and will also improve your overall health as well as your body.
11. Lose Weight
Obesity is among the prime reasons behind blood weight; a healthy weight will offer positive results.
12. Fish
SWeight studies and researchers have revealed that consuming fish twice/ thrice a week efficiently lowers the chances of having blood clotting. Through fish/ fish oil capsules, they have beneficial properties through which blood clotting can be prevented.
13. Advance Treatments:
a. Anticoagulants: These medicines help prevent the formation of blood clotting.
b. Thrombolytics: Also a drug that tends to dissolve blood clotting and create.
c. Thrombectomy: This procedure—surgical removal of the clot—helps remove blood clotting.
What Works and What Not:
Easy and Simple Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Blood Clots:
There are small steps towards a healthy lifestyle through which you can prevent blood clots. Most people are under such a mentality that only older people come under the possibility of blood clotting and other similar issues, which is entirely wrong. Not only aged persons but also women who are in their childbearing years also come under the possibility risk of deep vein thrombosis, i.e., DVT.
However, with some tiny lifestyle changes, you can switch towards a healthy lifestyle, and such severe health conditions may be prevented before they become too vulnerable or untreatable. Read below a list of several lifestyle changes that will help you prevent severe blood clotting:
- Keep Moving: Throughout the day, keep your body moving and active in various activities. Whatever sports you like, indoor or outdoor, do it and keep your body busy. Do not go on sitting idle and let your body be lazy.
- More Water: Drink more water. Try to quit smoking slowly. Bad habits like smoking are among the reasons for severe medical conditions, so you must get rid of them. Drinking more water will help your body stay healthy and hydrated. It will lower your risk of developing blood clotting formation.
- Pills: If you are consuming birth control pills, get the opinion from several doctors and then only start consuming such medicines, which might leave some severe aftereffects as well as side effects on your body.
- Don’t Ignore Symptoms: Before Blood clotting on significant arteries and other prominent veins, your body plainly shows some of the symptoms before that. Such symptoms include Pain, Swelling, Redness, and even discoloration in one leg. Other signs include warmth on the skin in the affected area of your body part. One must not ignore such symptoms. Otherwise, that might result in severe issues.
Additionally, other than the drugs mentioned above, below are a few more such Drugs that prevent blood clotting:
Most common Drugs to Prevent Blood Clots:
- Antiplatelet Drugs
o Clopidogrel
o Dipyridamole
o Aspirin - Oral Drugs:
o Warfarin - Drugs to be Injected:
o Heparin
o Enoxaparin
o Dalteparin
o Tinzaparin
You might be wondering about these medicines mentioned above or their effects on preventing blood clotting. Well, it is simple. If we don’t go don’teeply into doses, then all you need to know is:
- To stop Blood Clot’ Formation: With the help of Antiplatelet drugs, one can prevent blood clotting formation.
- To enlarge Veins: If you’re looking forward to getting medicines that help prevent blood clotting and expand veins within the heart, then Anticoagulants are the proper medications.
- For Arteries: Those who suffer from blood clotting in arteries need to consume Antiplatelet drugs. They will significantly help those with coronary artery disease symptoms—many—there are many of them.
- Oral Anticoagulants: These medications are individually prescribed for those who have been in treatment for longer durations. They prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. It takes approximately 48 to 72 hours for this medicine to work efficiently, and then you may feel its results yourself.
- Injected Anticoagulants: Injectable anticoagulants are helpful for conditions in which blood clotting needs to be controlled immediately. Several disorders, including Pulmonary embolism, can be treated quickly with such medications. Such medicines are also helpful for those who are undergoing surgery and have severe problems with Blood clotting so that there will be no blood clotting issues throughout the operation.
Important: Before consuming any of these medications, you must consult and get further essential information from your doctor.