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Blood clots, reducing the risks – easy read version

Information about what to do to stop getting a blood clot and keep you healthy when you have a stay in hospital and when you go home.

What are blood clots?

Blood clots drawingA blood clot is a hard lump of blood that can form inside your body.

Sometimes it can make you very ill.

 

 

Who can get a blood clot?

Anyone can get a blood clot. You are more at risk if you are pregnant, ill or having an operation in hospital

What can you do to help?

Stay active Stay active graphic image

 

 

 

Drink plentyDrink of water picture

 

 

 

 

Do exercises to improve your blood flow  blood clot exercises

 

 

 

Blood flow exercises

Always check with your doctor if you can do these exercises. They help keep you healthy.

Do 10 repetitions of each exercise at least 3 times a day

Exercise for the legs – you can do it!

exercises for legs infographic


Breathing exercises – try them!

breathing exercises

What will the hospital do to help?

The doctor may give you stockings and / or leg cuffs to help the blood flow better in your legs.

Stockings and leg cuffs

The doctor may give you a medicine (injection or tablets)

Image of medicines and syringes

Are these treatments safe?

Stockings and leg cuffs

Stockings and leg cuffs

Sometimes stockings and leg cuffs can make the skin on your legs go red or break. This can happen if they are too tight and dig in to your skin. If it happens let your doctor know straight away.

Medicines (injection or tablets)

Image of medicines and syringes

These medicines protect you from blood clots but sometimes they can give you:

  • Allergy (like a rash)
  • Bruises
  • Bleeding (e.g. nosebleeds, heavy periods, internal bleeding)

How do you know if you have a blood clot?

If you feel:

How do you know if you have a blood clot - infographic

You may have a blood clot.
Tell your nurse or doctor straight away

How do you know if you have a blood clot?

If you feel:

How do you know if you have a blood clot - symptoms infographic

You may have a blood clot.
Tell your nurse or doctor straight away.

Advice for when you go home

You can still get a blood clot after going home, especially in the first 3 months. Make sure that you…

Stay activeStay active graphic image

 

 

 

Drink plentyDrink of water picture

 

 

 

Do exercises to improve your blood flow Exercises for legs

 

 

 

The doctor may ask you to wear stockings and continue the medicines at home for a while. Make sure that you…

Wear the stockings, take the medication.

VTE stockings and medicines image

Further useful information