Your Guide to

Preventing and

Treating Blood Clots

U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, MD 20850

AHRQ Pub. No. 09­0067­C

May 2009
Swelling

Clot

Vein

Blood clots can form in any deep veins of the body. Most often, they

form in the legs, arms, or groin.
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Introduction

Blood clots (also called deep vein thrombosis [throm­BO­sis]) most often

occur in people who can’t move around well or who have had recent

surgery or an injury. Blood clots are serious. It is important to know the

signs and get treated right away. This booklet tells about ways to prevent

and treat blood clots.

Reminders:

■ Call your doctor* if you have questions.

■ Your doctor’s phone number is:

_________________________________________

Causes of Blood Clots

Blood clots can form if you don’t move

around a lot. You may also get a blood clot if

you:

■ Have had recent surgery.

■ Are 65 or older.

■ Take hormones, especially for birth

control. (Ask your doctor about this).

■ Have had cancer or are being treated for it.

■ Have broken a bone (hip, pelvis, or leg).

■ Have a bad bump or bruise.

■ Are obese.

■ Are confined to bed or a chair much of the time.

■ Have had a stroke or are paralyzed.

*In this booklet, the term “doctor” is used. It can mean doctor, nurse, physician’s assistant,

nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other heath care professional.
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■ Have a special port the doctor put in your body to give you

medicine.

■ Have varicose (VAR­e­kos) or bad veins.

■ Have heart trouble.

■ Have had a blood clot before.

■ Have a family member who has had a blood clot.

■ Have taken a long trip (more than an hour) in a car, airplane, bus,

or train.

Are you at risk?

■ Some people are more likely to get blood clots. Talk with

your doctor to see if you are at risk.

Symptoms of a Blood Clot

You may have a blood clot if you see or feel:

■ New swelling in your arm or leg.

■ Skin redness.

■ Soreness or pain in your arm or leg.

■ A warm spot on your leg.

Important!

■ If you think you have a blood clot,

call your doctor or go to the

emergency room right away!
Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in

your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of

your body, including your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs is called a

pulmonary embolism (POOL­mo­nar­e EM­bo­liz­em). If this happens,

your life can be in danger. Go to the emergency room or call 911.

A blood clot may have gone to your lungs if you suddenly have:

■	 A hard time breathing.

■	 Chest pain.

■	 A fast heartbeat.

■	 Fainting spells.

■	 A mild fever.

■	 A cough, with or without blood.

Preventing Blood Clots

You can help prevent blood clots if you:

■	 Wear loose­fitting clothes, socks, or

stockings.

■	 Raise your legs 6 inches above your

heart from time to time.

■	 Wear special stockings (called

compression stockings) if your doctor

prescribes them.

■	 Do exercises your doctor gives you.

■	 Change your position often, especially during a long trip.

■	 Do not stand or sit for more than 1 hour at a time.

■	 Eat less salt.

■	 Try not to bump or hurt your legs and try not to cross them.

■	 Do not use pillows under your knees.

■	 Raise the bottom of your bed 4 to 6 inches with blocks or books.

■	 Take all medicines the doctor prescribes you.

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Stay active!

■ Staying active and moving around may help prevent

blood clots.

Treatment for Blood Clots

If you have been told you have a blood clot,

your doctor may give you medicine to treat it.

This type of medicine is called a blood thinner

(also called an anticoagulant [an­te­ko­AG­ulent]). In most cases, your doctor will tell you

to follow this treatment plan:

■ For the first week you will receive medicine called heparin (HEP­arin) that works quickly. This medicine is injected under the skin. You

will learn how to give yourself these shots, or a family member or

friend may do it for you.

■ You will also start taking Coumadin®(COO­ma­din)—generic name:

warfarin (WAR­far­in)—pills by mouth.

■ After about a week of taking both the shots and the pills, you will

stop taking the shots.

■ You will continue to take the Coumadin®

/warfarin pills for about

3 to 6 months or longer.

Side Effects of Blood Thinners

Blood thinners can cause side effects. Bleeding is the most common

problem. Your doctor will watch you closely. If you notice something

wrong that you think may be caused by your medication, call your doctor.

Are you bleeding too much?

■ If you think you are bleeding too much, call your doctor or

go to the nearest emergency room. Tell them you are being

treated for blood clots. Tell them the medicines you are taking.
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List of Terms

Term Meaning

Anticoagulant Medicine that thins your blood

Blood clot Blood that clumps together

Blood thinner Another name for medicine that

prevents blood from clotting

Coumadin®

/warfarin, heparin Types of medicines that keep

blood from clotting

Deep vein thrombosis A blood clot that forms in the

veins of the legs, arms, or groin

Pulmonary embolism A blood clot that has traveled to

your lungs

Varicose veins Enlarged veins, often found in

your legs
How to Order AHRQ Booklets

For more copies of this booklet, e­mail the AHRQ Publications

Clearinghouse at AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov or call the toll­free

number: 800­358­9295.

To find other consumer materials, go to the AHRQ Web site at

www.ahrq.gov/consumer.

This booklet is based on a product developed by Ann Wittkowsky,

Pharm.D., Brenda K. Zierler, Ph.D., R.N., R.V.T., and the V.T.E.

Safety Toolkit Team at the University of Washington, Seattle, under

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Grant No. U18

HS015898­01.

This document is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted

without special permission. Citation of the source is appreciated.

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