1. Being Sedentary Can Increase Your Risk
Your veins automatically push blood back from your extremities to your heart. However, you unknowingly help this process along through daily activities that require you to stand, walk, squat, climb stairs and so forth. Using your muscles in these activities helps to propel the blood back to your heart. So what happens when you are sedentary during activities such as an airline flight or a long car ride? Blood can pool in your legs, increasing your risk of a blood clot. Reduce your risk by taking frequent breaks to walk and stretch your legs. If you are driving for long periods, make sure you make scheduled breaks on your trip to get out of the car for a quick walk.
2. Smoking Can Make Your Blood Sticky
Aside from increasing your risk of several types of cancers, smoking can also increase your risk of forming a blood clot. Smoking temporarily makes your platelets clump together, which helps the blood clot form. If you are a smoker, talk to your doctor about ways to help you quit. Aside from support groups and counseling, there are new medications available to help you quit. Most people find the most success with picking a quit date on the calendar and quitting cold turkey. Don't feel discouraged if you are unable to quit on the first attempt. Many people make several attempts before they quit for good.
3. Birth Control Pills and Pregnancy Can Increase Your Risk, Too
What do birth control pills and pregnancy have in common when it comes to clots? Both provide the body with elevated levels of the hormone estrogen, which is known to increase the risk of clot formation. If you choose to take birth control pills, reduce your risk by avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. If you are pregnant, avoid being sedentary for long periods of time, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Also, become familiar with the signs of a blood clot, which include sudden pain and swelling in your extremities (especially the lower legs), chest pain or difficulty breathing.
4. Family History Is Important
Some genetic disorders can increase your risk of forming blood clots. Many people who are affected do not know that they carry this increased risk. Become familiar with your family history, and ask older family members if they know of any relatives who died before age 55 from a heart attack or stroke. Also, if you have more than one family member with a history of having a blood clot in the leg or lungs, you may want to ask your doctor if genetic testing would be right for you.
5. An Aspirin a Day Can Keep a Clot Away
Aspirin is a drug that can keep your platelets from clumping together and forming clots. There is some controversy about the ideal dose of a daily aspirin, but for most people, a baby aspirin (81 mg/day) is sufficient for reducing risk. Of course, if you have a history of heart disease, stroke or a blood clot, you'll want to check with your health care provider about your optimal dose. You may want to avoid aspirin if you have had any history of bleeding from your gastrointestinal tract. If you've had a blood clot or stroke, your doctor may want to start you on a potent blood thinner called Coumadin. Talk to your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for this medication.
