When a blood clot forms in your deep veins, you develop a condition known as DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots usually occur in the legs, and they might disappear there -- or they might move through the body with severe consequences. In the past, doctors often recommended bed rest after a blood clot, but some exercise is now considered beneficial, according to a group of physicians called Investigators Against ThromboEmbolism (INATE).
Causes of Blood Clots
Blood clots occur when your blood doesn't circulate normally, and several factors can cause that, according to MayoClinic.com. You can form clots if you sit for a long period, such as on an international flight, or if you're confined to bed rest. You also can inherit a blood-clotting condition, or your blood can pool and clot during surgery. Pregnancy increases pressure on the veins and therefore risk of blood clots, and birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy are two other risk factors.
Symptoms and Dangers
You can have deep vein thrombosis but not know it. Bupa, a British health insurer, reports small clots might never produce symptoms. Larger blood clots can cause your leg to swell and become painful, and your skin can get hot and turn red. Small clots might go away on their own, according to Bupa, but larger ones can become deadly. If a piece of the clot breaks off and travels to your lungs, it can block a blood vessel there, which can cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. Other consequences include post thrombotic syndrome, which occurs if the valves in your veins get damaged. The blood can pool in your leg, causing ulcers or long-lasting pain.
Importance of Exercise
Doctors used to think movement after a blood clot could dislodge the clot and lead to a pulmonary embolism, but current evidence suggests this risk is no greater in mobile patients than in those taking bed rest. In fact, INATE reports that early exercise such as walking might reduce symptoms associated with a blood clot, such as pain and swelling.
When to Start Exercising
You won't find standardized guidelines about when to start exercising after a blood clot, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance. MayoClinic.com reports that many patients with uncomplicated clots begin walking after 24 hours if they receive proper treatment and wear recommended compression stockings to reduce swelling. The evidence is unclear about when you should begin more active exercise, but INATE recommends waiting about two weeks so the clot has time to adhere to the wall of the blood vessel. You should get an OK from your doctor before you begin walking or any other exercise after a blood clot.
Types of Exercise
The National Blood Clot Alliance reports that the kind of exercise you should do depends on several factors, including your overall physical condition, where your blood clot is located and how severe it is. It's wise to include some form of aerobic exercise in your regimen to increase your circulation and and lung function. Moderate exercise such as walking and swimming is fine for many patients, but you should customize your regimen with your doctor's help.
