Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
When you arrive at hospital, you should be checked for your risk of blood clots. Hospital staff will record your age and weight and ask you about your general health. The assessment will also take into account the reason for your hospital stay.
Your risk of clots is likely to be higher, for instance, if you're having a major operation, if you're going to be confined to bed for long periods, or if you have any of the other "risk factors" mentioned above.
If the assessment shows that you're at risk of a blood clot, you should be offered preventative treatment. The options include blood-thinning medication ( anticoagulants ) and compression stockings orfoot pumps to keep your blood circulating and help prevent any clots forming.
Hospital staff should check whether bleeding might be a problem before offering medication to help prevent clots.
If you've been admitted to hospital and you haven't had your blood clot risk checked, it's important that you ask a doctor or nurse. Equally, if you've been told you're at risk of clots and have been given medicine, stockings or other devices, it's important that you understand how to use them properly.
Don't be afraid to ask hospital staff about reducing your risk of blood clots it could save your life.
Questions you might like to ask your healthcare team about blood clots are:
Every year, thousands of people in the UK develop a blood clot in a vein. It's known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and is a serious, potentially fatal, medical condition.
Anyone can get a blood clot, but you're more at risk if you cant move around much or if youre unwell. You've probably heard of blood clots linked to long-haul plane journeys or the contraceptive pill,
In 2005, a Houseof Commons Health Committee reportstated that every year in England an estimated 25,000 deaths occur as a result of hospital-acquired VTE. The report also stated that the estimated num
When you arrive at hospital, you should be checked for your risk of blood clots. Hospital staff will record your age and weight and ask you about your general health. The assessment will also take int
There are things you and the medical professionals looking after you can do before, during and after your hospital stay to minimise your risk of developing a blood clot. Before coming into hospital Yo
Before leaving hospital, you should be told about anything you need to look out for that could suggest you've developed a blood clot. Symptoms of a blood clot can include: cramping pain, redness, war