Preventing DVT at Home

Taking Steps to Protect Yourself After Discharge

Being in the hospital can put you at risk of developing a blood clot in a deep vein — called a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). You are still at risk once you go home. More blood clots develop after discharge than inside the hospital.

A DVT can become dislodged and travel through your body. If it travels to your lungs, it can become a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE). If a clot travels to your brain, it can cause a stroke.

Risk Factors at Home

You may find it more difficult to stay mobile once you leave the hospital. Having less help can lead to longer times sitting and lying in one position, giving blood a chance to pool and clot.

You are at higher risk of getting a DVT if you:

  • Had surgery, especially for a broken bone

  • Are over age 40

  • Are obese

  • Had a DVT before

  • Have cancer

  • Have been bed-bound for 5 days or more

  • Have congestive heart failure

  • Have a condition that lowers your mobility, like a stroke

  • Have varicose veins or circulatory problems

  • Are on estrogen therapy

  • Recently gave birth

  • Had a major injury or trauma

  • Had a heart attack

COVID-19

Some studies show a higher rate of blood clots after discharge from the hospital if you have COVID-19. Because some variants of COVID-19 cause blood clots, take extra care to protect yourself.

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners in the hospital. Depending on your condition, you may continue taking blood thinners at home, either orally or by injection. If you take oral medication to prevent blood clots, you may need regular laboratory monitoring. Some common blood-thinning medications you can take at home are warfarin, apixaban, and enoxaparin. 

Compression Stockings

Most DVTs develop in the legs. Compression stockings are elastic stockings that fit tightly around your legs. They push the blood toward your heart and prevent it from pooling. They can be uncomfortable initially, but most people get used to wearing them. When you wear them, make sure they are not wrinkled or gathered in one area. 

Activity

Be as active as you can. Returning to your previous activity level after being in the hospital may seem daunting, but it is the best way to prevent a DVT and speed up your recovery. 

Walking

If you are able, walking is an excellent way to get blood moving and prevent a DVT. When your calf muscles contract, they work like a pump to push blood back up to your heart. Stay safe, use assistive devices, and get help if you are unsteady. 

Stationary Exercises

While in bed or a chair, move your extremities frequently to help prevent blood from pooling. Try rotating your ankles or moving your feet up and down. 

When to Call the Doctor

Signs of a blood clot include pain, heat, and swelling and may appear in one leg or arm. 

If you are on a blood thinner, also watch for signs of bleeding: 

  • Red blood in your urine or bowel movements

  • Vomiting blood

  • Black, tarry bowel movements

  • Nosebleeds

  • Bleeding from the vagina

  • Bleeding from the gums

Call 911 if you have:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Chest pain

  • Fainting

  • Muscle weakness on one side of your body

  • Facial drooping

  • Confusion

  • Heavy bleeding when taking blood thinners

  • A fast heartbeat

Travel

Take care when you travel. Sitting on a plane or in a car for a long time puts you at high risk of developing a DVT. If you must ride in a car for a long distance, stop and walk every hour. On a plane, walk up and down the aisle hourly when it is safe. Wear compression stockings and perform seated exercises to reduce your risk.

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