Pulmonary Embolism

If you're at risk of developing blood clots, a number of things may be recommended to help prevent a pulmonary embolism.

Anticoagulants

If you're admitted to hospital to have surgery, your care team may recommend that you take an anticoagulant, such as Warfarin , during your stay in hospital and when you go home.

This medication alters chemicals in your blood so that clots don't form easily.

Compression devices are inflatable and work in a similar way, expanding at regular intervals to squeeze your legs and encourage the flow of blood.

Increasing mobility

Pulmonary embolisms can sometimes occur when the blood flow slows down during a long period of inactivity, such as during recovery from surgery or long-distance travel.

It's therefore important that you increase your mobility as soon as possible after surgery by moving around or doing leg exercises. Also, avoid taking long journeys for four weeks after you come out of hospital.

If you're at risk of developing blood clots, consult your GP before travelling long distances. They can advise about ways to reduce your chance of a clot developing during your journey, such as:

• performing simple leg exercises, such as regularly flexing your ankles
• taking occasional short walks when possible
• taking advantage of refuelling stopovers, where it may be possible to get out and walk about
• wearing elastic compression stockings

.

Smoking, diet and exercise

You can also reduce your risk of developing a pulmonary embolism by:

• not smoking  (if you smoke)
• eating a healthy, balanced diet  that's low in fat, with plenty of fruit and vegetables
• getting regular exercise   at least 150 minutes a week
• maintaining a healthy weight and  losing weight if you're overweight or obese