blood clots vtes PDF Eng_Layout 1 2/22/13 2:24 PM Page 1

Reducing Your Risk of Blood Clots or VTEs

What is a VTE? Blood clots occur Blood clots that develop in the veins of the body are when the blood, known as Venous Thromboembolism or VTE. Sometimes these clots develop while a person is which is in liquid form, hospitalized or on bed rest for a long time. thickens to a solid Blood clots occur when the blood, which is in liq- uid form, thickens to a solid inside the vein. This is inside the vein. called a . When this happens, the normal g blood flow in the vein slows or stops. A blood clot Not being able to move around in a leg vein is called a Deep Vein or g Being bedridden or confined to bed for several DVT. days SYMPTOMS OF A POSSIBLE DEEP VEIN g Recent surgery; medical illness THROMBOSIS INCLUDE: g Heart or lung disease; g Pain and/or tenderness in one leg g Major trauma g Swelling of the leg g Infection or cancer g Warmth and redness of the skin of the leg g Previous or Pulmonary g If part of the clot in the leg breaks free, it can trav- Embolus el to the lung. This is called a Pulmonary Embolus Other factors that can increase your risk of develop- or PE (pulmonary=lung, =travelling clot). ing a blood clot include: SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE PULMONARY g Being overweight EMBOLUS INCLUDE: g Hormone therapy g Feeling out of breath g Cigarette smoking g Being over the age of 40 g Sudden collapse g Dehydration g Coughing up blood WHY ARE BLOOD CLOTS SO DANGEROUS? AM I AT RISK FOR VENOUS Deep Vein Thrombosis that blocks the flow of blood THROMBOEMBOLISM? in a vein can cause swelling and pain in the leg. Sometimes blood clots develop in otherwise healthy This can lead to leg tissue damage. Long term people. However, the risk of developing a Deep symptoms also can occur from this damage and are Vein Thrombosis or a Pulmonary Embolus can be called post-thrombotic syndrome. increased if you are in the hospital. Blood clots that travel to the lung can cut off the Things that increase your chances of having a blood supply to an artery in the heart or the lungs. blood clot while in the hospital include: This is dangerous and can occasionally cause death. blood clots vtes PDF Eng_Layout 1 2/22/13 2:24 PM Page 2

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISK OF VENOUS develop blisters or pain from the stockings. And THROMBOEMBOLISM? make sure the stockings don’t roll down to the space behind your kneecap. g Move around as much as you can as soon as you can SEQUENTIAL COMPRESSION DEVICES (SCD) g Do leg exercises in bed These are inflatable sleeves that are placed on your legs. They will squeeze your legs on and off during g Drink plenty of fluids the day. Take them off before you get out of bed g Quit smoking cigarettes because they can cause you to trip and fall. Be sure g Wear compression stockings (if prescribed) to ask for the sleeves to be put back on. g Take your blood clot prevention medication as VENA CAVAL FILTER ordered by your doctor If your risk of Venous Thromboembolism is high but REDUCING YOUR RISK OF VENOUS you cannot take anticoagulant drugs and are not THROMBOEMBOLISM WHILE YOU’RE IN THE able to use the compression stockings or compres- HOSPITAL sion device, you may be offered a temporary vena caval filter. This is an umbrella shaped device that In hospitals, there are two ways to reduce your risk is inserted into a large vein to trap any blood clots of getting blood clots: anticoagulants and mechan- and stop them from moving toward the lungs. They ical devices. are used rarely. ANTICOAGULANTS PLEASE NOTE: In medical terms, clotting is referred to as coagula- g How long should I keep using the anticoagulant tion. The drugs used to prevent a clot are called anti- drug?

coagulants. Using anticoagulants is the most effec- g tive way of preventing Venous Thromboembolism. What should I do if I can’t give myself the shot? g You know these drugs as blood thinners. But they If you have any questions about the drugs used to do not actually thin the blood; they slow the body’s prevent a clot, please ask your doctor, nurse or ability to form a clot. Anticoagulants can cause you pharmacist. to bruise and bleed more easily. g If you were given graduated compression stock- Anticoagulants are usually given through an injec- ings, they should be worn until you return to your tion into the fatty part of your abdomen one to two usual level of activity. times a day. Generally, they are used until you are g If you develop any symptoms of possible Deep discharged from the hospital. You may be asked to Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolus at home continue the anticoagulant injections at home. in the days and weeks after hospitalization, then seek medical advice immediately, either from MECHANICAL DEVICES your doctor or your nearest hospital emergency GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKINGS (GCS) department. These are tight stockings that squeeze your lower Reproduced with permission from Hotel-Dieu legs. They help keep the blood flowing through the Grace Hospital, Copyright 2011. veins in your legs. Your legs will be measured to fit the stockings properly. Wear them all the time, except when washing or showering until you return to your normal level of daily activity. Let your doctor or nurse know if your skin changes color or if you