What is a blood clot?
What is the risk?
Anyone can develop a blood clot. Your risk increases if you stay in the same position for a long time. This could be sitting on a long haul plane or on your sofa at home or lying in a bed in hospital. Blood clots are more common as you get older, but other risk factors include: • If you have had recent major surgery • Have cancer • Being pregnant • A family history of blood clots
What is my risk?
Blood clots can be avoided – If you are going to hospital ask “What is my risk?” You can also ask your Doctor or Nurse for advice about the warning signs and what treatment there is for blood clots.
Reducing the risks?
You can reduce your risk of developing a blood clot by following a few simple steps. If you are admitted to hospital, a Doctor or Nurse will assess your risk of developing a blood clot. While in hospital you can reduce your risk of a blood clot by: • follow the advice given by the health care staff looking after you • change your position regularly if you are lying in bed or sitting in a chair , • get up and move when you are told it is safe to do this, and