Prevent Blood Clots

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Prevent Blood Clots

Last updated: July 13, 2022

Blood clots can often be prevented. The best ways to prevent blood clots include:

Know your risk for blood clots.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots.
Tell your doctor if you have risk factors for blood clots.
Before any surgery, talk with your doctor about blood clots.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you do have any symptoms of a blood clot. Blood clots can be safely treated.

Other steps you can take to reduce your risk for blood clots:

It’s important to know your family history. Tell your doctor and other family members if you learn that there is a history of blood clots among your relatives.
If you have to be confined to a bed in a hospital or at home following surgery or due to illness or paralysis, ask your doctor what options exist to prevent blood clots.
Get up and move if you’ve been sitting for a long time or traveling for a long time by plane, train, or car. Stand up, walk around, and stretch your legs every two to three hours.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Don’t smoke/vape or take steps to quit smoking/vaping.

Learn More

The most important thing you can do to prevent blood clots is to learn if you are at risk. Learn more about blood clot risks here: Know Your Risk

There are several important signs and symptoms of blood clots: Know the signs and symptoms of blood clots

Connect with others who have experienced a blood clot here: Patient Stories

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"In April 2022 here in New Zealand, my first PE wa

"In April 2022 here in New Zealand, my first PE was detected by chance. I mentioned a fluttery heart while having a routine flu vaccine. This prompted the nurse to check, and she discovered an irregular rhythm.

The doctor then ordered a few tests, including a D-dimer. By that night I was in the hospital, diagnosed with bilateral PE. After nine months on rivaroxaban and with all hematology testing clear, I was considered safe to come off the DOAC.

I saw a doctor again in May 2023 when I started experiencing symptoms again. She described me as 'neurotic.'

Two days later, I was getting the kids ready for school when I felt faint and couldn’t move the left-hand side of my body. I realized I was having a stroke. It turns out that due to a hole in the heart (patent foramen ovale, or PFO), another clot had formed and traveled through my heart to my brain.

Luckily due to very quick treatment — I was airlifted to a hospital for an immediate clot retrieval —I made a full recovery.

Heart surgery followed, the PFO was closed and I was switched to aspirin. However, I then had another PE a few months later. The doctors think the clots are coming from a compressed iliac vein in the pelvic area (May-Thurner syndrome) so I’m now on DOAC lifelong.

The heavy menstrual bleeding caused by rivaroxaban was making me anemic, so I recently had an endometrial ablation procedure to help with menorrhagia (heavy periods) caused by blood thinners. Despite having fibroids that made the procedure a little more complex, this has been a game changer for me. The bleeding has almost stopped completely and I didn’t have to stop thinners for it as it was fairly nonintrusive.

It’s been a scary journey. In New Zealand there’s not much knowledge or support for clots. But I’m beyond grateful to be here for my kids and I appreciate every moment. Don’t be scared to ask to be checked if you feel things aren’t right. Advocate for your health and push for answers."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #maythurnersyndrome #pulmonaryembolism #gaslighting #pfo #menorrhagia #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness

Did you know? Blood clots can run in families due

Did you know? Blood clots can run in families due to conditions like thrombophilia—a genetic or acquired predisposition that increases your risk of forming dangerous clots. Understanding your family history is key to managing and preventing blood clots.

Join us on Tuesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. ET for our first PEP Talk of the year on the role of family history in blood clot risk featuring Dr. Jordan Schaefer from the University of Michigan Health.

This session will explore:

- What thrombophilia is and how it’s detected.
- How genetics influence clotting risk.
- Steps to protect yourself and loved ones.

🎥Watch this clip from our 2022 PEP Talk on Thrombophilia and Genetic Risks to get the conversation started. Get ready to dive deeper with us on January 14!

Register and submit your questions at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #thrombophilia #peptalk #patientseducatingpatients #bloodclotwebinar #familyhealthhistory #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk #geneticsandbloodclots

Everyone at the National Blood Clot Alliance wishe

Everyone at the National Blood Clot Alliance wishes you and your family a holiday season filled with love, light, and healing.

We trained 20 new Thrombassadors last week who now

We trained 20 new Thrombassadors last week who now have the tools and knowledge to spread blood clot awareness in their communities.

Congratulations to our new class of Thrombassadors! Thank you for helping to save lives through education and awareness.

If you’d like to make a commitment to spreading blood clot awareness in 2025 and beyond, you’re in luck! Our next Thrombassador training is Thursday, Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. Learn more and sign up at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #thrombassador #bloodclotawareness #volunteering #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotsurvivor

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Episode 4, Sea

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Episode 4, Season 2 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, listeners hear from Teri Stanfield of Georgia, whose 21-year-old son Bryce died of a pulmonary embolism earlier this year.

As Teri tried to make sense of this tragedy, she turned to the National Blood Clot Alliance. Channeling her grief into advocacy, she trained to become an NBCA Community Thrombassador to help spread awareness of blood clots with the goal of saving lives.

Listen at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

#stoptheclot #takingabreath #bloodclotpodcast #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #bloodclotfatality #brycestanfield #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor #stanfieldstrong

"On Thursday, August 15, 2024, I had right knee su

"On Thursday, August 15, 2024, I had right knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. On Saturday, I experienced cramping in my calf that radiated up to my knee and behind it. By Sunday I had shortness of breath and a racing heart, the pain in my leg was excruciating - hot and radiating up behind my knee.

I went to the ER. I explained my symptoms to the doctor and asked if he could test for blood clots. I read the post-op instructions and what I was feeling was spot on with DVT. I could tell he was a bit skeptical, but he agreed to run labs, CT with contrast, and a sonogram of my leg.

After many hours, he gave me the news: It was DVT in my right leg. The clot broke off and traveled to my lungs resulting in PE. Since this was a small, standalone ER, I was transported to the hospital by ambulance and admitted for treatment. I spent a few days in the hospital and was discharged home on apixaban.

My lifestyle has changed considerably. I was previously very active, in the gym three days a week. It’s taken some time to get back to the gym. I am short of breath just walking, and at times my heart rate spikes and I need to lay down.

I’m so thankful for the NBCA resources and support from other survivors, especially the Facebook group and community.

This was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced and I am glad I listened to my body and took action. I’m also grateful to the hospital staff for taking care of me! I am a DVT and PE survivor!

My advice would be to listen to your body, follow post-op instructions and know the signs of DVT and PE."

More patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #pe #dvt #surgery #postopinstructions #bloodclotsandsurgery #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient #kneesurgery

A recent study suggests that GLP-1 medications, co

A recent study suggests that GLP-1 medications, commonly prescribed for managing diabetes and obesity, may also lower the risk of dangerous blood clots.

The study’s lead author is hematologist Rushad Patell, MD of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and chair of NBCA’s Council on Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis.

According to the study’s findings, people taking GLP-1 drugs were 48% less likely to develop deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism compared to those not on these medications.

While more research is needed, this discovery offers hope for new ways to prevent life-threatening blood clots, particularly for those at higher risk due to diabetes.

Read more at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #glp1 #glp1weightloss #glp1diabetes #knowyourrisk #reduceyourrisk #pulmonaryembolism #pe #dvt #deepveinthrombosis #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness

Thrombophilia, a condition where the blood has an

Thrombophilia, a condition where the blood has an increased tendency to clot, can sometimes be inherited. This means certain genetic factors passed down from parents can increase the risk of blood clots.

If you or a loved one has experienced blood clots, understanding the role of genetics could be key to prevention and early detection.

✨ Patients Educating Patients ✨ Join us for our next PEP Talk on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. ET to learn more about the connection between blood clots and family history with clinical expert Dr. Jordan Schaefer of the University of Michigan Health.

Register at the link in bio!

Read our resource on family testing for clotting disorders: Link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #thrombophilia #peptalk #patientseducatingpatients #bloodclotwebinar #familyhealthhistory #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk #geneticsandbloodclots

Teri Stanfield lost her only child, Bryce, to a bl

Teri Stanfield lost her only child, Bryce, to a blood clot. Her heartbreak fuels her fight to raise awareness so no one else experiences the same tragedy.

Now, YOU can join this fight and TRIPLE your impact.

Every dollar you give will be matched 2:1 by an anonymous donor until December 31—up to $30,000! That means your $1 becomes $3 in the fight against blood clots.

Your gift supports the National Blood Clot Alliance’s education and advocacy programs, empowering people like Teri to share lifesaving information in their communities.

💻 Donate today and help us save lives at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #pulmonaryembolism #pe #fatalpe #fatalbloodclot #brycestanfield #collegefootball #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotfatality #stanfieldstrong

“My family’s blood clot history begins as a gr

“My family’s blood clot history begins as a grim story, but it has now become a story of inspiration and hope.

Blood clots have tragically affected my family for many generations. Five of my closest relatives have had blood clot conditions. Two of us have survived, but we have lost three loved ones (my father at age 54, my brother at age 55 and my nephew at age 36).

It is clear that thrombosis runs in our family through some genetic disorder. Most of our family have been tested repeatedly for the five to 10 most common genetic abnormalities known to cause clots. But all the test results came back negative. So the causes of our family’s blood clot problems remained unknown –until recently…”

Learn more about Gerry’s story and how uncovering your own family health history may protect you against blood clots at our January PEP Talk on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. ET.

👉 Register and submit your questions: bit.ly/Jan2025PEPTalk (link in bio)

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #pulmonaryembolism #geneticsofbloodclots #peptalk #SERPINC1gene #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #familyhealthhistory

As we pack our bags and hit the roads or skies for

As we pack our bags and hit the roads or skies for the holidays, it’s important to remember that prolonged sitting—whether on a plane, train, or car—can increase the risk of blood clots.

Most people travel safely, but factors like recent surgery, pregnancy, cancer, or a family history of blood clots can increase your risk.

Here are tips to prevent blood clots while traveling:

✔ STAY HYDRATED. When you’re dehydrated, your blood vessels narrow, and your blood thickens, increasing your risk for blood clots. Make sure to drink water and avoid alcohol and soft drinks.

✔ GET UP & MOVE. Sitting for four hours or longer can increase the chances of a blood clot developing, so it’s important to stand and walk on an airplane and stop for breaks while in a car.

✔ DO LEG EXERCISES. If you can’t get up, you can move your legs and feet while sitting to keep the blood flowing. Try making ankle circles; lifting your knees to the chest one at a time and holding it for several seconds; and extending your legs out straight and holding it in place.

✔ WEAR COMPRESSION SOCKS. Properly fitted compression socks can help stimulate blood flow and reduce swelling and discomfort.

✔ WEAR A MEDICAL ID. If you take an anticoagulant, or blood thinning medication, make sure to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. (And of course, don’t forget to pack your medication!)

Watch our Mini PEP Talk for more blood clot prevention travel tips at the link in bio.

Happy holidays and stay safe!

#stoptheclot #holidaytravel #bloodclotprevention #vteprevention #dvtprevention #dvt #deepveinthrombosis #economyclasssyndrome #bloodclotawareness #wanderwell #safetravel #frequentflyerhealth

Did you know blood clots often run in families? If

Did you know blood clots often run in families? If someone in your family has experienced a blood clot, your own risk may be higher too.

Understanding your family history and genetic risks is key to preventing dangerous blood clots like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).

Join us for our January PEP Talk, featuring clinical expert Dr. Jordan Schaefer of the University of Michigan Health. We’ll explore how blood clots and genetics are connected and share actionable steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 7 pm ET

Register at the link in bio!

Don’t miss this important discussion—your family’s health could depend on it!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #peptalk #patientseducatingpatients #bloodclotwebinar #familyhealthhistory #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk #geneticsandbloodclots

Bryce Stanfield, a 21-year-old college football pl

Bryce Stanfield, a 21-year-old college football player with dreams of becoming a dentist, died of a preventable pulmonary embolism on February 9, 2024.

More than a star athlete, Bryce was a volunteer at Greenville Children’s Hospital, reading to kids and giving them hope. This season, his teammates honored him with “Stanfield Strong” stickers on their helmets, a tribute to his commitment to helping others.

Bryce’s mother, Teri, continues his legacy as a dedicated NBCA Thrombassador, sharing life-saving information about blood clot risks, signs and symptoms. This year, our Thrombassador program surpassed one million people reached, but there is more work to be done.

This giving season, please donate in Bryce’s honor—or for a loved one of your own—and help us prevent future tragedies through life-saving education and awareness. Together, we can keep their legacies alive.

Donate at bit.ly/GiveBack2024 or the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #pulmonaryembolism #pe #fatalpe #fatalbloodclot #brycestanfield #collegefootball #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotfatality #stanfieldstrong #athlete #thrombosis

"One morning I was feeling lightheaded, so I check

"One morning I was feeling lightheaded, so I checked my running watch and saw my heart rate was in the low 40s. I assumed I’d just stood up too quickly.

As the day went on, I felt some chest pressure, which I chalked up to anxiety, something I often experience with POTS. But the pressure worsened, and my heart rate fluctuated wildly from 41 to 190 during a meeting.

Afterward, I mentioned it to my manager, who urged me to call my primary care doctor. I saw a covering doctor who ran some tests, finding I was tachycardic. He ordered more labs, and I returned to work, still convinced it was just anxiety.

But when my lab results came back, my D-dimer was elevated. My manager and I were reviewing the results when the doctor called. He asked if I had a history of blood clots. My dad had a DVT and is on blood thinners for life, but I never thought I’d have to worry about that.

After some imaging was done, my doctor told me to come right to his office. When I arrived, he informed me that they had found a pulmonary embolism in my left lung and had to be admitted and started on blood thinners. I was 26, and my PE was caused by my birth control.

I was in shock but also incredibly lucky it was caught early. The doctor told me that if I’d waited much longer, the outcome could have been much worse.

This experience completely changed my perspective on health. I learned how easily symptoms like chest pressure can be dismissed, especially with a history of anxiety or chronic conditions. I’m grateful to the people who listened to me and acted quickly.

If I could share one thing, it’s this: always trust your body. Early detection saved my life."

At the link in bio, read more patient stories and register for our next PEP Talk on Jan. 14 on how a family history of blood clots could affect you.

Do blood clots run in your family? Have you or a l

Do blood clots run in your family? Have you or a loved one faced a clotting diagnosis that made you think about your family health history?

As we prepare for our January PEP Talk on family health history and blood clots on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. ET, we want to hear your story. Sharing your experience can help others understand the importance of genetics and family history in blood clot awareness.

Submit your story at the link in bio. We’ll be sharing your stories in the weeks leading up to our January PEP Talk. (Register for PEP at the link in bio, too!)

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #peptalk #patientseducatingpatients #bloodclotwebinar #familyhealthhistory #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk #geneticsandbloodclots #bloodclotsurvivor #stoptheclotstory

Lace up for a life-saving cause! The United Airlin

Lace up for a life-saving cause! The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon returns on Sunday, March 16, 2025, and NBCA is excited to be back as an official charity partner.

Imagine running 13.1 miles through NYC’s iconic streets and past famous landmarks while raising awareness and funds to prevent blood clots and save lives.

Applications are now open! Secure your spot at the link in bio and join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.

#stoptheclot #VTE #teamstoptheclot #UnitedNYCHalf #2025UnitedNYCHalf#halfmarathon #nychalf #nychalfmarathon #nyrr #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #charityrun #bloodclotsurvivor

Blood clots don’t discriminate. They can strike

Blood clots don’t discriminate. They can strike anyone, anytime—even young, vibrant individuals like Bryce Stanfield, a 21-year-old football player with dreams of becoming a dentist.

Bryce experienced fatigue, leg pain, and shortness of breath—symptoms mistaken for a muscle strain. Tragically, these were warning signs of a deadly blood clot. On February 9, 2024, Bryce passed away from a pulmonary embolism, which could have been prevented.

Now, Bryce’s mother, Teri, is turning her grief into action. Volunteering with the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), she’s raising awareness about the symptoms and risks of blood clots to prevent other families from experiencing such heartbreak.

💔 No family should endure this loss.

💙 Together, we can make a difference.

👉 Donate at the link in bio to honor Bryce’s legacy—or a loved one of your own—and help NBCA educate more families and save lives.

Your tax-deductible donation before December 31, 2024 will support life-saving education and awareness initiatives across the country.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #pulmonaryembolism #pe #fatalpe #fatalbloodclot #brycestanfield #collegefootball #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotfatality

"I started having superficial clots (SVTs) in the

"I started having superficial clots (SVTs) in the early 1990s, which was attributed to birth control. Genetic testing was not available at that time. I joined a list serve (email group) to learn more.

Fifteen years later, with occasional SVTs and genetic testing now available, I was diagnosed with one factor V Leiden gene (heterozygous). In 2012, I had classic DVT symptoms: a very swollen and blue leg, which came two days after recovering from a bout of food poisoning and a day of hiking where immobility and dehydration had likely increased my clot risk.

The folks on that list serve encouraged me to get to the ER and told me to inquire about having a catheter-directed thrombolysis to break up the clot. I know that advice is why my post-thrombotic syndrome symptoms are minimal.

May-Thurner syndrome was found during that procedure and corrected with two stents. I've had two subsequent DVTs and one PE after a bit of medical gas-lighting. My hematologist and chiropractor both knew my clot history and genetic predisposition to clotting, but when I saw them complaining of rib pain with a deep breath, neither checked for a PE. A very painful 36 hours later, I was diagnosed with a PE in the ER.

I am thankful to have received treatment pretty quickly, mostly due to my self-advocating. I also learned that dehydration is something that triggers my clot episodes.

Today, I am blessed to have my health. I walk 2-4 miles daily, hike, downhill ski, and scuba dive, albeit a tad more conservatively than to lower my fall risk now that I take a DOAC (blood thinner).

I am happy to give back to the NBCA as a Thrombassador. The more people who know about clot symptoms and risks, the sooner those affected can get the help needed to live their best life. Knowing the symptoms, your risk factors, and self-advocacy are the keys to clot prevention and healing."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #dvt #pe #factorvleiden #fvl #maythurnersyndrome #mts #bloodclotawareness #thrombassador #bloodclotsurvivor #stoptheclotstory #medicalgaslighting

Deck the halls with lifesaving information this ho

Deck the halls with lifesaving information this holiday season!

If you’re looking for a gift for someone who is passionate about blood clot awareness, or even yourself, we have a suggestion: A Stop the Clot ornament!

This double-sided ornament features Buster on one side and the STOP CLOT acronym on the other. It’s a unique way to spark conversations and spread awareness with family and friends as you celebrate the holidays together.

Shop now at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #ornament #holidayornament #stoptheclotornament #christmasornament #deckthehalls #bloodclotawareness

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Season 2, Epis

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Season 2, Episode 3 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, listeners hear from Michael Philbin, a retired chemist from New Jersey. At 52 years old, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to treat the cancer.

“They told me that getting a blood clot in your calves and potentially in your lungs was one of the complications of the surgery and that I should walk around for at least five minutes every hour,” he said.

Four days after his cancer surgery, Michael started feeling the calf pain he had been warned of, which is a symptom of deep vein thrombosis. He was also tachycardic — his heart was beating up to 120 beats per minute, which is a sign of a pulmonary embolism.

He went to his local emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a clot in his leg and one clot in each lung. In the midst of being treated, a nurse told him that he doesn’t look like a patient with three blood clots.

“To which I said, ‘Well, what does a person with three blood clots look like?’ And she says, ‘They’re usually dead.’”

Listen to Michael’s story here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.stoptheclot.org/stop-the-clot-podcast/

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #vte #cancer # #bloodclotpodcast #vtepodcast #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #fightcancer #beatcancer #endcancer #cancersucks #prostatecancerawareness #prostatecancersurvivor #prostatehealth

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