Prevent Blood Clots

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Prevent Blood Clots

Last updated: July 13, 2024

Blood clots can often be prevented. The best ways to prevent blood clots include:

Know your risk for blood clots.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots.
Tell your doctor if you have risk factors for blood clots.
Before any surgery, talk with your doctor about blood clots.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you do have any symptoms of a blood clot. Blood clots can be safely treated.

Other steps you can take to reduce your risk for blood clots:

It’s important to know your family history. Tell your doctor and other family members if you learn that there is a history of blood clots among your relatives.
If you have to be confined to a bed in a hospital or at home following surgery or due to illness or paralysis, ask your doctor what options exist to prevent blood clots.
Get up and move if you’ve been sitting for a long time or traveling for a long time by plane, train, or car. Stand up, walk around, and stretch your legs every two to three hours.
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise as directed by your doctor.
Don’t smoke/vape or take steps to quit smoking/vaping.

Learn More

The most important thing you can do to prevent blood clots is to learn if you are at risk. Learn more about blood clot risks here: Know Your Risk

There are several important signs and symptoms of blood clots: Know the signs and symptoms of blood clots

Connect with others who have experienced a blood clot here: Patient Stories

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stoptheclot

Advancing blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis & treatments to #stoptheclot. Submit your story @ link below ⬇️ Our podcast: Taking a Breath 🎙️

Did you know that people undergoing treatment for

Did you know that people undergoing treatment for cancer are at an increased risk for developing blood clots? If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to understand your risk and speak with your doctor about blood clot prevention.

🔗Download our checklist for blood clot risk at the link in bio.

NBCA will be spotlighting the connection between cancer and blood clots at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference in Chicago from May 30-June 3.

If you’re attending #ASCO25, stop by and see us at patient advocacy booth 13000!

#StopTheClot #ASCO2025 #Cancer #CancerSucks #BloodClots #CancerAssociatedThrombosis #ClinicalOncology

🩸 New research shows pulmonary embolism in chil

🩸 New research shows pulmonary embolism in children may be far more common than previously believed.

A multi-center study led by Dr. Jeffrey Kline of Wayne State University and NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board found that up to 6.3% of symptomatic pediatric ER patients were diagnosed with blood clots in the lungs, a rate similar to adults.

This groundbreaking work challenges the long-standing belief that PE is rare in kids, and could help improve early diagnosis while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.

Published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the study is the first of its kind and signals the need for updated guidelines in pediatric clot care.

🔗 Full story: Link in bio.

🔗 NBCA resources on children and blood clots: Link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #VTEInChildren #BloodClotsAndChildren #PediatricVTE

🩸 Finding your way forward after a blood clot d

🩸 Finding your way forward after a blood clot diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but guidance is here.

Join us on June 10 at 7 p.m. ET for a special PEP Talk for those newly diagnosed with DVT, PE, or other clotting conditions and their loved ones.

We’ll cover what to expect during your recovery, how to navigate treatment, and where to find the support you need, all in a safe, understanding space.

📅 When: Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. ET
🔗Register: bit.ly/June2025PEPTalk (link in bio!)

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #PEPTalk #BloodClotPatient #BloodClotSupportGroup #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

At just 7 years old, Jason developed a blood clot

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By the time it was found, Jason was already living with quadriplegia.

As National Stroke Awareness Month comes to a close, Jason’s mom Faye shares their story to raise awareness about how blood clots in children are often missed, and how an early diagnosis can change everything.

🔗More about blood clots and children at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #NationalStrokeAwarenessMonth #BloodClotAwareness #BasilarArteryThrombosis

One night after delivering her second child, Heath

One night after delivering her second child, Heather experienced the worst headache of her life. She was eventually diagnosed with a blood clot in the brain, or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

After treatment and recovery, she thought blood clots were behind her, but she developed blood clots in her lungs years later.

Heather, who serves as an NBCA Community Thrombassador, told her story during our May PEP Talk on women and blood clots in recognition of Women’s Health Month. Pregnancy and postpartum are risk factors for blood clots, and quick action can be lifesaving.

🔗If you missed the live session, you can watch it at the link in bio.

Register for our June PEP Talk on navigating a new blood clot diagnosis at the 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #WomensHealthMonth #BloodClots #Pregnancy #Postpartum #FourthTrimester #KnowYourRisk #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

While heading to a festival, Courtney suddenly cou

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Now diagnosed with factor V Leiden, Courtney shares her story to make sure others don’t miss the warning signs. Get our New Patient Resource Guide at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #FactorVLeiden #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

🩸 Blood does a lot more than most of us realize

🩸 Blood does a lot more than most of us realize — it delivers oxygen, fights infections, regulates temperature, and helps control bleeding.

But when something goes wrong, like with a clotting disorder, it can put your health at serious risk.

A recent Everyday Health article breaks down what blood disorders are and how they affect your body. It also links to NBCA as a recommended organization that provides support and education for people living with clotting disorders.

Thank you, @EverydayHealth, for this informative article and helping to spread awareness!

Read it at the 🔗in bio.

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Cramped seats, dehydration, and prolonged inactivity can slow circulation and create conditions for a clot to form, sometimes called "economy class syndrome."

Stay safe with these tips:

🔹 Stand up and move every hour

🔹 Do simple leg and foot stretches in your seat

🔹 Stay hydrated (skip the caffeine and alcohol)

🔹 Avoid crossing your legs

🔹 Wear loose clothing and consider a medical ID if you're at higher risk

🔹Know the signs of a blood clot and seek medical care if symptoms appear.

Learn more at the 🔗 in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #economyclasssyndrome #travelsafety #summertravel #bloodclotprevention #dvtprevention #bloodclotawareness

💔 Angela passed suddenly in September 2024, jus

💔 Angela passed suddenly in September 2024, just 1.5 hours after arriving at the ER. Doctors found massive blood clots in her lungs.

Angela’s daughter Mallery will carry her memory forward always. Please know the signs. Blood clots can take a life in moments.

More stories at the 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #PulmonaryEmbolism #PE #FatalPE #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotFatality

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Season 2, Epis

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Season 2, Episode 9 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, listeners hear from Lauren Brzozowski, Olympic hopeful for Team USA bobsled. She was in Switzerland with her team when she broke her foot.

This injury, combined with long days of travel, resulted in a DVT that put her career on pause. Lauren shares how she got through this with support from her family and her fans.

“Injury is the worst part about being an athlete. It’s such an attack on your identity,” Lauren said. “People don’t realize how much of a mental strain this is. If we didn’t catch it sooner, I could have died.”

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story and spreading awareness. Listen at the 🔗 in bio or wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.stoptheclot.org/stop-the-clot-podcast/

@zozzy7

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #PE #PulmonaryEmbolism #VTE #TakingABreath #BloodClotPodcast #BloodClotSurvivorStory #Bobsled #AthletesAndBloodClots #TeamUSA

When you're newly diagnosed with a blood clot, it'

When you're newly diagnosed with a blood clot, it's easy to feel lost. We're here to help you find your footing.

Join us on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. ET for a special PEP Talk for the newly diagnosed — the second in our quarterly series created to support people at the beginning of their recovery journey.

Inspired by the safe, encouraging space of our Facebook Support Group, this session will offer guidance, resources, and community to help you regain control of your health, physically and mentally.

Diane Wirth, nurse practitioner and a member of NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, serves as our medical expert.

We hope to see you there! 📅 Register at the link in bio.

📣 If you know anyone who would benefit from this PEP Talk, please share it with them! 📣

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #PEPTalk #BloodClotPatient #BloodClotDiagnosis #BloodClotSupportGroup #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

🏃‍♀️While training for a marathon, Melisa

🏃‍♀️While training for a marathon, Melisa thought her leg pain was a calf strain — but it turned out to be a massive DVT caused by estrogen birth control and May-Thurner syndrome.

After treatment and recovery, she’s back to running and training for a half marathon. Her advice: always advocate for yourself. 🔗More stories at the link in bio.

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🔬Today is International Clinical Trials Day, es

🔬Today is International Clinical Trials Day, established to recognize the researchers, clinicians, and especially the volunteers who make medical progress possible.

Clinical trials have transformed how we prevent and treat blood clots — from developing safer anticoagulants to improving care strategies for high-risk patients. Every advancement starts with someone who says “yes” to research.

If you're interested in participating in a clinical trial, it’s important to know that trials happen in four distinct phases, each designed to answer specific questions and involve different types of participants, from healthy volunteers to people living with the condition being studied.

Want to learn more or explore current trials? Visit the 🔗 in bio!

#stoptheclot #clinicaltrials #bloodclotresearch #vteresearch #bloodclots #bloodclottingdisorders #thrombophilia #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient

We're proud to announce MyMichigan Medical Center

We're proud to announce MyMichigan Medical Center Midland as the first hospital in the U.S. to be designated an NBCA DVT Center of Excellence™!

This designation recognizes MyMichigan’s commitment to proactive, patient-centered DVT care, setting a new national standard in blood clot prevention and treatment.

Dr. Jacob Frisbie, vascular surgeon and VTE champion at MyMichigan, said: “This validates our team’s focus on timely intervention, the right treatment, and long-term support.”

Early diagnosis and treatment of DVT are critical. When caught early, DVT can be effectively treated, preventing it from progressing into a pulmonary embolism (PE) –- a potentially fatal condition. This designation represents a significant step in ensuring that patients receive the timely care they need to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

Congratulations to the team in Midland for this well-deserved distinction! 👏

@mymichiganhealth

Learn more at the link in bio!

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #VTECentersOfExcellence #CentersOfExcellence #COE #HospitalExcellence #BloodClotAwareness

Many women who’ve had a blood clot are told they

Many women who’ve had a blood clot are told they can never use estrogen-based birth control — but that’s not always true.

In this clip from our May PEP Talk on women and blood clots, Dr. Anna Parks, hematologist at the University of Utah and a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis, explains why this is a common misconception. While estrogen *can* increase the clotting risk, automatically ruling it out without a full discussion often leaves women with few or no options.

As a result, many women on blood thinners are left to cope with heavy, unmanaged menstrual bleeding — or, face the possibility of an unintended pregnancy. And pregnancy itself is a major clotting risk.

Dr. Parks breaks down what women need to know about hormonal birth control, bleeding management, and how to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.

If you missed the live session, the full recording is now available at the PEP Talk 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #WomenAndBloodClots #KnowYourRisk #PEPTalk #MedicalGaslighting #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

With Men’s Health Month just weeks away, now is

With Men’s Health Month just weeks away, now is the time to talk about health risks men often overlook, like the connection between prostate cancer and blood clots.

Men with prostate cancer have a 50% higher risk of developing dangerous blood clots, especially in the first six months after diagnosis. Treatments like surgery and hormone therapy can increase this risk — even more so for those with a prior history of blood clots.

Former President Joe Biden, recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, had a DVT in 1988. His experience underscores the importance of understanding all your health risks, especially when multiple factors are in play.

This Men’s Health Month, encourage the men in your life to get screened, know their family and personal history, and talk to their doctor about prevention.

In Season 2, episode 3 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast, Michael Philbin, a prostate cancer survivor, discusses how he navigated both prostate cancer and blood clots. Listen at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

#StopTheClot #ProstateCancer #BloodClots #VTE #CancerAndClots #KnowYourRisk #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotEducation

After giving birth to twins by C-section, Kacey re

After giving birth to twins by C-section, Kacey restarted birth control. A few months later, her leg became swollen and discolored.

She was sent home from the ER with a diagnosis of muscle strain, but the next day, she could barely breathe.

Now recovered from a DVT and PE, Kacey shares this advice: “Always listen to your body and advocate for yourself because your life depends on it.” 👉Swipe through to read her full story.

🔗More patient stories: Link inn bio.

🎶 Volunteers Who Rock! 🎶 At the National Bl

🎶 Volunteers Who Rock! 🎶

At the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), our volunteers are making a difference in fun and innovative ways! One of our incredible Thrombassador volunteers, Jill Cowley, is hosting a music festival next month to help support our mission. Talk about a note-worthy event! 🎸✨

This festival isn’t just about great music; it’s about coming together to spread vital awareness about the risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots in memory of Jill's cousin, Chandra, who passed away from a pulmonary embolism. We love seeing how our volunteers come up with such creative and meaningful ways to spread the word and give back.

#StopTheClot #RememberChandra #Thrombassador #DVT #PE #BloodClots #BloodClotAwareness #VolunteerForChange #MusicForAwareness #NBCA #BloodClotAwareness #VolunteerInspiration #RockOnForClots #CreativeImpact

From music festivals to lemonade stands, you can make an impact no matter your passion.
Have an idea? You could be the next volunteer to take action and make a difference! 🙌

If you’re in the upstate New York area, join us for an unforgettable day of music, food, and fun—all for a great cause! 🎤🎉

📍 Location: Dominick’s Tavern, Oswego, NY
📅 Date: Saturday, June 21
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM ET

💬 How could help bring important blood clot education to YOUR community? Drop a comment below and let us know how you might get involved! Let’s work together to reduce the impact of blood clots—one community at a time.

👶Pregnancy brings big changes, including the in

👶Pregnancy brings big changes, including the increased risk for blood clots.

Did you know? Women are four times more likely to develop a blood clot during pregnancy. After giving birth, that risk spikes dramatically: up to 100 times higher in the first week after delivery, and remains about 20 times higher in the three-month postpartum period.

While this increased clotting risk helps prevent excessive bleeding during childbirth, it can also lead to dangerous complications if left unrecognized.

This Women’s Health Month, know the signs. Ask about your family history and talk to your doctor about your risks. 🔗Learn more at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #WomensHealthMonth #BloodClots #Pregnancy #Postpartum #FourthTrimester #KnowYourRisk #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

🌟 Empowering Communities with Blood Clot Educat

🌟 Empowering Communities with Blood Clot Education & Awareness 🌟

At the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), we are committed to strengthening community health through blood clot education and awareness. Our work wouldn’t be possible without community partners like the Brooklyn Community District 2 and dedicated volunteers like Arshell Brooks-Harris—an NBCA Thrombassador and Board Member who will be representing us tomorrow at Brooklyn CB2’s Fourth Annual Health Fair, “Living Well, Living Strong.”

If you’re in the Brooklyn area, come meet Arshell and learn more about NBCA’s blood clot resources—plus a panel discussion on maternal health, health screenings, fitness classes, healthy food, music, dancing, kids' activities, and much more! The event is FREE and open to the public.

📍 Location: Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Brooklyn, NY
📅 Date: Saturday, May 17
⏰ Time: 12 to 4 PM ET
🔗More Info: https://bit.ly/CB2Event2025

💬 How could help bring important blood clot education to YOUR community? Drop a comment below and let us know how you might get involved! Let’s work together to reduce the impact of blood clots—one community at a time.

#BloodClotAwareness #NBCA #Thrombassador #CommunityHealth #LivingWellLivingStrong #BrooklynHealthFair #VTE #ThrombosisPrevention #StopTheClot @bkcb02

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