Blood Clot Risk and What You Can Do

Risk Factors

Estimated risk for developing a DVT (blood clot in the leg) or PE (blood clot in the lung):

Ask your doctor about need for “blood thinners” or compression stockings to prevent clots, whenever you are admitted to the hospital
Lose weight, if you are overweight
Stay active
Exercise regularly; walking is fine
Avoid long periods of staying still
Get up and move around at least every hour whenever you travel on a plane, train, or bus, particularly if the trip is longer than 4 hours
Point and flex your toes and make circles with your feet if you cannot move around while sitting for prolonged periods to get your blood circulating
Stop at least every two hours when you drive, and get out and move around
Drink a lot of water and wear loose fitted clothing when you travel
Talk to your doctor about your risk of clotting whenever you take hormones, whether for birth control or replacement therapy, or during and right after any pregnancy
Follow any self-care measures to keep heart failure, diabetes, or any other health issues as stable as possible