Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
If you're admitted to hospital or planning to go into hospital for surgery, your risk of developing a blood clot while you're there will be assessed.
Surgery and some medical treatments can increase your risk of developing DVT see causes of DVT for more information.
If you're thought to be at risk of developing DVT, your healthcare team can take a number of measures to prevent a blood clot forming.
If you're going intohospital to have an operation, and you're taking the combined contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) , you'll be advisedto temporarily stop taking your medication four weeks before your operation.
Similarly, if you're taking medication to prevent blood clots , such as aspirin , you may be advised to stop taking it one week before your operation.
There's less risk of getting DVT when having a local anaesthetic
compared with a general anaesthetic .Your doctor will discuss whether it's possible for you to have a local anaesthetic.
There are a number of things your healthcare team can do to help reduce your risk of getting DVT while you're in hospital.
For example, they'll make sure you have enough to drink so you don't become dehydrated , and they'll also encourage you to move around as soon as you're able to.
Depending on your risk factors and individual circumstances, a number of different medications can be used to help prevent DVT. For example:
Compression stockings or compression devices are also commonly used to help keep the blood in your legs circulating.
Compression stockings are worn around your feet, lower legs and thighs, and fit tightly to encourage your blood to flow more quickly around your body.
Compression devices are inflatable and work in the same way as compression stockings, inflating at regular intervals to squeeze your legs and encourage blood flow.
Your healthcare teamwill usuallyadvise youto walk regularly after you've been prescribed compression stockings. Keeping mobile can help prevent the symptoms of DVT returning and may help prevent or improve complications of DVT , such as post-thrombotic syndrome.
If you're planning a long-distance plane, train or car journey(journeys of six hours or more), make sure you:
This is particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease , which may increase your risk of developing DVT.
DVT can be a very serious condition, and it's important you receive medical assistance as soon as possible. Treating DVT promptly will help minimise the risk of complications.
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg. DVT usually occurs in a deep leg vein, a larger vein that runs through the muscles of the calf and the thigh.
Read about how and when deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can occur. In certain circumstances, such as being inactive for long periods, your risk of getting DVT increases.
Read about how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is treated. Two of the main treatments are anticoagulant medicines and wearing compression stockings.
Read about the two main complications of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome.
Find out how to prevent getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) before going into hospital, while in hospital and after being discharged, plus long-distance travel advice.
Journalist Mark Pownall from north London developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on a long-haul flight from New Orleans to London.
Helen Cannings, 34, developed venous thromboembolism (VTE) at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. Her father also died of pulmonary embolism at the age of just 49.
Battling through three differentcancers meant that getting blood clots was the last thing on Jeremy Smith's mind.