The doctor or nurse who has examined you suspects that you may have a blood clot, a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You have been thoroughly examined are now considered fit to be discharged. The following will aid your recovery.
What is a DVT?
We need blood to clot if we cut ourselves or have an operation but sometimes a clot will form when we don’t want it to.
Sometimes a blood clot will form in one of the deep veins, more often than not in the leg. This is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
There is a risk that this clot will become loose and travel to the lungs this is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and can be very dangerous.
You are most at risk of a DVT when you are unwell and/or are less mobile than normal, for example after an operation.
At this time your blood can be more ‘sticky’ and flows slowly so there is more likelihood of a clot forming in your vein.
A DVT can form during your stay in hospital or in the weeks after you go home.
What we can do to reduce your risk
These are things we can do to reduce your risk of DVT.
We will assess your risk of DVT when you are admitted:
The reason you have been admitted and the type of treatment you have had has an effect on your risk of getting a blood clot.
Some people also have certain ‘risk factors’ which makes them more likely to get a DVT but in practice everyone admitted to hospital has an increased risk of DVT.
We will encourage:
Early mobilisation: we will encourage you to get up and move around as soon as you can.
We may give you:
Heparin – a daily injection of heparin will reduce the risk of DVT but can’t be used in everyone as it can increase the risk of bleeding.
Anti-embolism stockings
You may be measured and fitted with stockings. These stockings help to aid the circulation in your lower legs.
Compression devices
These are inflatable sleeves that are fitted around the leg or foot while you are immobile in your hospital bed. They inflate at regular intervals and the pressure increases the flow of blood back to the heart.
What can I do to help myself?
If your hospital admission has been planned several weeks in advance, there are some precautions which you can take to reduce your risk of DVT and PE:
- Talk to your doctor about your contraceptive or hormone replacement tablets. Your doctor may consider stopping them in the weeks before your operation.
- Avoid travelling for more than three hours in the month before your operation if possible.
- Keep a healthy weight and stop smoking.
The best way
– to improve your circulation is to try and mobilise; even sitting out of bed in a chair for an hour a day can help. The physiotherapist can help you if you find mobilising difficult.
Exercises to improve circulation
You can do these in bed or when sitting in a chair and continue them after you have been discharged.
In bed:
- Paddle your foot up and down pointing your toes to the floor and then the ceiling.
- Make circles with your feet.
- Raise one leg pulling gently towards you, slowly bring back down and repeat with other leg.
Sitting in the chair:
- Sit with knee bent, straighten knee and lower. Repeat with other leg.
Deep breathing exercises:
- Breathing exercises are important. Every 5–10 minutes, take deep breaths filling your lungs as much as possible.
Keep well hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids, unless advised otherwise by medical staff.
When you leave hospital
You may need to continue to take precautions against DVT.
The risk of a DVT continues for some weeks after your hospital stay, so it may be necessary to keep wearing the stockings or taking injections or tablets to reduce the risks. The length of the risk period is variable – we will advise you on what you need to do when you go home.
Watch out for signs of DVT or PE
A DVT usually causes a leg to swell and hurt. A PE causes shortness of breath, chest pain or rarely sudden collapse.
Watch out for signs of bleeding if you are still taking anticoagulant injections or tablets.
These include bruising, nosebleeds, blood in the urine or stools, heavy periods, or excessive tiredness or pallor.
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If you are worried phone your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 straight away.
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