Online Scheduling | Careers Home/About Us/Newsroom/Take Steps to Stop the Clot Refine Results Awards & Accreditations Careers Contact Us Hospital Tours Leadership Newsroom E-Newsletter Sign Up 2020 News Releases 2019 News Releases 2018 News Releases 2017 News Releases 2016 News Releases 2015 News Releases Phone Directory Quality & Safety Senior Circle Volunteer Opportunities Avg ER Wait: 13min About ER Wait Times Directions Find Our Location Online Scheduling Free, convenient online check-in services. Learn More Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well. Learn More Patient Portal Access your medical information on demand. Learn More Take Steps to Stop the Clot 8/18/2021 The pandemic has heightened attention to the dangers of blood clots including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clot-provoked stroke. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), blood clots kill 274 Americans each day when they restrict blood flow and cause a medical emergency. While different types of blood clotting are being reported among people affected by COVID-19, particularly those who become severely ill after infection with the virus, everyone is at risk for blood clots regardless of age, gender or race. Obesity, smoking, hypertension and a personal or family history of blood clots increase your chances of developing clots. Women’s risk is increased by birth control pills, pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy. People at the highest risk include those with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation (a-Fib), cancer, traumatic injury, lengthy immobility and surgery. Three steps can help with prevention of blood clots – maintain a healthy weight, stay hydrated and move regularly. Drinking plenty of water and fluids helps keep your blood from thickening. Particularly when sitting for long periods such as on flights or car trips, get up and walk every 60 to 90 minutes and stretch your calf muscles frequently to keep the blood flowing in your legs. Individuals with aFib should talk with their primary care physician about the benefits and risks of taking a blood thinner to reduce the risk of clots and stroke. “Blood clots can create a medical emergency – so every action you can take to reduce your risk is worthwhile. Talk with your doctor about your family history and whether you need extra medical help to minimize your chances of blood clots,” said LuDane Simmons, MD, a Family Health physician at Silver Creek Family Practice. Know the symptoms so you can get help quickly, potentially saving your life or the life a friend or family member. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documents symptoms for blood clots in deep veins of your leg and thighs include increased leg swelling, skin that is warm to the touch, red or discolored, pain in a leg that feels like a pulled muscle but not caused by injury, tightness, cramping or soreness, or a throbbing sensation. If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, alert your doctor as soon as possible. “Blood clots are treatable when they are discovered early. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms,” Simmons said. The most common signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot that is blocking blood flow in the lungs are difficulty breathing, chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or cough, coughing up blood and a faster-than-normal or irregular heartbeat. Seek medical treatment immediately when you experience any of these signs and symptoms. If you need help finding a primary care physician, visit WARMCdocs.com to be connected with one of Western Arizona Medical Group’s qualified primary care physicians. Dr. Simmons' office is located at 2500 Canyon Road, on the Bullhead City Parkway; the telephone number (928) 763-9290. Back Western Arizona Regional Medical Center 2735 Silver Creek Road Bullhead City, AZ 86442 (928) 763-2273 Connect with us on Facebook ADA Accessibility Policy Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Patient Rights & Responsibilities © Copyright 2021 . All rights reserved. Notice of Nondiscrimination English, አማርኛ, العربية, বাংলা, ျမန္မာဘာသာ, tsalagi gawonihisdi, 繁體中文, Chahta, Oroomiffa, Nederlands, Français, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Deutsch, ગુજરાતી, हिंदी, Hmoob, Igbo asusu, Ilokano, Italiano, 日本語, 한국어, Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀, ພາສາລາວ, Kajin Ṃajōḷ, ខ្មែរ, Diné Bizaad, नेपाली, Deitsch, فارسی, Polski, Português, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Română, Русский, Gagana fa'a Sāmoa, Srpsko‑hrvatski, Español, ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂, Tagalog, ภาษาไทย, Türkçe, Українська, اُردُو, Tiếng Việt, èdè Yorùbá