INTERNET INFORMATION SOURCES North American Thrombosis Forum www.natfonline.org Clot Care www.clotcare.com MANITOUWADGE GENERAL HOSPITAL National Alliance for Thrombosis/Thrombophilia www.stoptheclot.org The American Venous Forum www.veinforum.org Thrombosis Interest Group of Canada www.tigc.org Preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) May 2012
Preventing Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) This information package is designed to help you understand the following information: Leg Slides 1. Lying on you back, slide your legs up and down bending your knees. 2. Repeat one leg at a time with your heal slightly off the bed. 3. Repeat five to ten times every hour. 1. What is a deep vein thrombosis or blood clot in the vein and how it can form in your body? 2. What is a pulmonary embolus or a blood clot that has migrated to your lungs and how it can form in your body? 3. What the health care team at Manitouwadge General Hospital will do to help prevent a blood clot from happening to you. Other ways I can help prevent a blood clot: 4. What you can do to help stop a blood clot from forming in your body. Stay as active as possible Stop smoking or don t smoke Maintain a healthy body weight Take your medication as prescribed Reference: National Institutes of Health, National Stop the Clot Alliance and Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network
Leg Exercises It is important to do these exercises when you are lying in bed and especially when you are sitting in a chair. 1. Point your toes towards the foot of the bed. 2. Relax your feet. 3. Point your toes towards your chin. 4. Relax your feet. 5. Rotate your ankles in a circle. (rotate in both directions) 6. Rest briefly and repeat steps 1 to 5 Repeat these exercises 10 times per hour while awake and do these exercises until you can walk and move around as normal. When your condition is stable you will receive assistance with walking from a Physiotherapist, Nurse and other trained professionals. Why should I worry about blood clots? Blood clots are common and can occur in many people and have the potential to cause serious bodily harm or even death. People at greatest risk for blood clots are those who are ill and need to be hospitalized or those who need to have a surgical operation. There is a difference between blood clots that form in veins and blood clots that form in arteries. Blood clots that form in deep veins are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Blood clots that break away from a DVT and travel to the lungs are called pulmonary embolism (PE) Blood clots that form in arteries can cause heart attacks, strokes or both. Since there exists a difference between blood clots in veins and arteries the risk factors, prevention and treatment for each of these types of blood clots are different. In this brochure we will discuss only those blood clots which originate in the veins (DVT and PE).
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)? Deep vein thrombosis (throm-bo-sis), also referred to as DVT, is an abnormal blood clot. If blood clots form, they are usually formed in the deep veins of the legs, pelvis or both. They may also occur in other veins in the body as well. If you are already in the hospital: Tell your health care team right away if you have any signs or symptoms listed on page five of the brochure. Ask your Doctor or Nurse, What is being done to lower my risk of developing a blood clot. Take the anticoagulant (blood thinning medication) if given to you. This will reduce the chance of abnormal blood clotting in your veins. Wear your compression stockings if asked to do so. Drink plenty of fluids but check with your Nurse first to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Move your legs often and walk as soon as your health care team indicates it is safe to do so. Symptoms Redness Swelling
What is your health care team at the Manitouwadge General Hospital doing to help me from developing a DVT or PE? The Manitouwadge General Hospital is committed to ensure your safety and these are a few things we will do to assist you in prevention of a blood clot formation: You will be assessed for risk factors for blood clots You may be given anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) either orally or by injection to prevent blood clots. If you are able you will be asked to get out of bed and walk frequently You may require compression stockings to wear if you need them What is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE)? A blood clot can break away and migrate through the blood stream and become lodged in the lungs. This travelling blood clot is called an embolus (em-buh-luh s). When this happens it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and is a serious condition. A PE can cause damage to the lungs and other organs impair oxygen supply to the body, cause pain and strain your heart. A PE can even cause death. What can I do to prevent DVT and PE? It is important that you do everything you can to help prevent DVT or PE from happening to you and this list will guide you to take part in your care should you come to the hospital or if you are already in the hospital. If your admission to the hospital has already been planned: Tell your health care team if you have ever had a blood clot before. Tell your health care team if a family member has ever had a blood clot before Talk with your health care team about the listed risk factors on page four of the brochure. Tell your health care team that you would like to prevent blood clots. Symptoms Shortness of breath Chest pain that is worse when breathing in Coughing up blood
What are my risk factors for a DVT or PE? A past history of DVT or PE or both Family history of DVT or PE or both Recent surgery Acute or Chronic heart or lung conditions Cancer and most types of cancer treatment Major injury or bone fractures Slow blood flow in deep veins from lack of movement Pregnancy Smoking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Birth control pills (BCP) Age 40 years and older Hereditary or acquired clotting disorders If you are over weight A central venous catheter line or PICC line placed in a vein. What are the signs and symptoms of DVT? Symptoms of a DVT may include any or all of the following: Swelling of your arm, leg or both but only on one side of your body. Unexplained pain or tenderness in your leg or arm. Skin that is red, warm to the touch or both. What are the signs and symptoms of a PE? Symptoms of a PE may include any or all of the following: Unexplained shortness of breath Sharp chest pain especially when breathing in Coughing up blood Fever IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYPTOMS TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE RIGHT AWAY