TRAINING and EDUCATION
Patient Education
• hospitalization for illness or surgery
• major surgery, particularly of the pelvis, abdomen, hip, or
knee
• severe trauma, such as a car accident
• injury to a vein (e.g., from a broken bone or severe muscle
injury)
• hip or knee replacement surgery
• cancer and cancer treatments
• use of birth control methods that contain estrogen, such as
the pill, patch, or ring
• pregnancy, including six weeks after birth
• use of hormone replacement therapy, which contains
estrogen
• family history of blood clots
• obesity
• confinement to bed
• sitting too long, especially with legs crossed
How Can Blood Clots Be Prevented?
Knowing the risk factors for and signs and symptoms of blood
clots is an important part of prevention. You can also prevent
blood clots by:
• discussing risk factors with a doctor
• talking with the doctor about blood clots prior to any
surgery
• visiting a doctor as soon as possible if any symptoms of a
blood clot appear
• knowing your family history and discussing it with your
doctor
• standing up, walking around, and stretching your legs
every two to three hours, particularly when traveling long
distance by car or plane
The National Blood Clot Alliance Resources
The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is
dedicated to advancing the prevention, early
diagnosis, and successful treatment of life-
threatening blood clots, such as deep vein
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and clot-
provoked stroke. NBCA works on behalf of those
who may be susceptible to blood clots, including
those with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation,
cancer, traumatic injury, risks related to surgery,
lengthy immobility, child birth, and birth control.
For more information on NBCA, visit stoptheclot.org.
For more patient resources on blood clots, visit
stoptheclot.org/learn_more/about-clots.htm.
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ASH Clinical News
• maintaining a
healthy weight
• not smoking or
taking steps to
quit smoking
How Are Blood
Clots Treated?
Blood clots are treated
with anticoagulants
(also known as blood
thinners), which slow
the time it takes for
blood to clot and
prevent clots from
growing, while also
preventing more clots
from forming in most patients. Some anticoagulant options are
discussed here.
Unfractionated (UF) heparin is a fast-acting blood thinner
that is administered into the vein via an intravenous needle or