heart and blood vessel disorders
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Although the risk of deep vein thrombosis cannot be entirely eliminated, it can be reduced in several ways: Prevention of immobility Anticoagulant medications Intermittent pneumatic compression devices Preventive measures are selected depending on the person's risk factors and individual characteristics. People at low riskof deep vein thrombosis, such as those who must be temporarily inactive for long periods, as during an airplane flight, and those who are undergoing minor surgery but have no other risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, can take simple measures. Such people should elevate their legs, flex and extend their ankles about 10 times every 30 minutes, and walk and stretch every 2 hours while awake during long flights. People at higher riskof deep vein thrombosis require additional preventive treatment. Such people include People undergoing minor surgery who have specific risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (for example, cancer or excessive blood clotting) People without risk factors undergoing major surgery (especially orthopedic surgery) People who are hospitalized with a serious illness (for example a heart attack or serious injury) Such higher risk people should keep their legs elevated and begin moving around and walking as soon as possible. Additionally, Anticoagulant medications , such as low-molecular weight Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) uses a pump to repeatedly inflate and deflate hollow plastic leggings. The leggings squeeze the calves and empty the veins to prevent clots. The leggings may be used in combination with Anticoagulant medications or instead of anticoagulants in people with a high risk of bleeding, such as those who had a serious injury. In people having surgery that has a high risk of bleeding, the leggings are put on before surgery and kept on during and after surgery, until the person can walk again. Continuously wearing high-compression elastic stockings (support hose) makes the veins narrow slightly and the blood flow more rapidly. As a result, clotting may be less likely. However, elastic stockings alone are not sufficient protection against developing deep vein thrombosis. Also, they may give a false sense of security and discourage more effective methods of prevention. If not worn correctly, they may bunch up and aggravate the problem by blocking blood flow in the legs. 