How to Prevent Blood Clots & Embolism

Blood clots help your body by stopping blood flow at a wound site, but they can be dangerous when they break free from a vein and clog blood flow to an important organ. A blood clot that clogs an artery to the brain can cause a stroke. A clot blocking blood to the heart can cause a heart attack. A clot blocking blood to a lung is called a pulmonary embolism. Such clots, which break free from deep veins, most commonly form in the legs, where gravity causes pooling. Travelers who sit in cars or planes in a confined position are particularly susceptible to such deep-vein clots.

Things You'll Need

• Support socks

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Instructions

Travel Prevention

• 1

  Drink plenty of fluids. One can forget to drink while traveling, leading to dehydration, which increases the chance of clotting while seated. Hydration is especially important on airplanes, where the cabin air is very dry.

• 2

  Avoid alcohol during travel days. Alcohol contributes to dehydration.

• 3

  Keep your blood circulating. Perform foot and ankle exercises while in your car or plane seat. Note that calf exercises are not enough. The ankles and feet must specifically be exercised by raising and lowering the toes, pressing against the floor and seat ahead of you, and rotating your ankles.

• 4

  Get moving. Walk around once an hour, whether traveling by car or by plane.

Everyday Prevention

• 5

  Watch how you sit. Sitting for extended periods with your legs crossed cuts off circulation. Avoid crossing your legs whenever possible.

• 6

  Wear support socks. Weak veins have trouble overcoming the force of gravity. Blood that pools in the legs leads to clotting. Support socks provide the extra pressure needed to push pooling blood up out of the lower leg.

• 7

  Get adequate exercise. Take frequent exercise breaks when you are doing sedentary activities.

• 8

  Be on alert for troublesome symptoms. See a doctor if you notice any of the following: sudden increased redness, numbness, or swelling in the legs or feet; intense burning or throbbing in your hands or ankles; or chronic headaches or dizziness.