Dos and Don’ts after Your Blood Clot Treatment
Doctors use a variety of blood-thinning medications to prevent a blood clot from developing or getting bigger. Thrombolytic medication breaks down existing clots, while expert physicians like Dr. Pensler recommend Catheter-directed treatments, such as percutaneous transcatheter, to solve the issue.
Regardless of the treatment that your doctors prescribe for you, it’s important that you’re aware of the dos and don’ts after your blood clot treatment.
Blood Clot Treatment
– Do –
#1 | Be Watchful for Signs of another DVT
If you have recently undergone a deep vein thrombosis in your arms or legs, it doesn’t mean that you will not develop the condition again. In fact, you might feel swelling in the limb after treatment. You can also feel mild pressure or pain in the chest after a clot in the lungs.
However, it is important to watch out for worse pressure or pain in the calf. It might be a signal or sign of a new DVT. Fainting or shortness of breath often shows that another PE is forming.
#2 | Be Aware of Your Odds
If you’ve had a blood clot before — whether in your leg, arm, or lungs — your chances of another one are higher. Your risk is also greater if you:
If you have suffered from a blood clot in the past, whether in the arm, leg, or lungs, the chances of getting another one are always higher. The risk is greater if you’re;
- a cancer patient, have an inflammatory disorder, a blood clotting disorder, or a rheumatologic disorder
- over 40
- obese or overweight
- a Smoker and take pregnancy control pills
#3 | Get Moving
Exercises such as swimming or walking help you heal faster after a clot. They can boost blood flow, immunity and make you more active. Keep in mind that if you have suffered from pulmonary embolism, physical activities that involve fast heart pumping such as dancing or running make your vital organs, like your lungs, much stronger.
But make sure that you talk to your consultant first about appropriate physical activities for you.
#4 | Ask About Medications You Take
If you’re on warfarin or other blood thinners, avoid taking aspirin unless a medical expert allows you. It is because it may raise your chances of bleeding.
Some antibiotics can prevent your medication from having the desired effect on your body. Not to mention, you need to be careful when taking over-the-counter supplements.
– Don’t –
#1 | Hurt Yourself
Your physicians may give you some clot-fighting drugs such as blood thinners or anticoagulants. They may make you bleed from minor injuries. That is why it is important to be careful while performing activities that involve the risk of getting a bruise. Wear gloves while handling sharp objects and ask your doctors regarding activities that are not safe for you.
#2 | Eat the Unhealthy Foods
If you’re on blood thinner warfarin to fend off clots, you will need to be careful about your diet. Eating food with vitamin K can affect the way drugs work. Vitamin K can affect how the drug works. So you have to be careful about the amount of what you eat.
That is to say, refrain from eating the high amounts of
- kale
- Brussels sprouts
- spinach
- mustard greens
- chard, or collard
Green tea, alcohol, cranberry juice can affect medicines like blood thinners. So speak to your doctor first.
Summing Up
All in all, DVT takes time to heal completely. That is why you need to be careful about post-treatment dos and don’ts.
Consult Dr.Pensler to learn more about the best post-treatment dos and don’ts
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