Why elevate leg with dvt

Inactivity, prolonged bed rest, or paralysis — When you are sedentary for long periods of time or do not move your legs, blood can pool and form a blood clot in your legs. When your muscles are moving and contracting, this helps circulate the blood. Even staying active with low intensity activity can help. Recent surgery or traumatic injury — After surgery or an injury, the inflammatory response is initiated as part of the injury response process and the injury site or surgical site is flushed with blood and nutrients to help heal the area.

If we are immobilized to decrease pain or to stabilize an injury, we increase the risk of developing a blood clot. Pregnancy — Increased pressure in veins of the pelvis and legs of women. Clotting risks can continue for up to 6 weeks following a pregnancy. Quit now! Age — A DVT can occur at any age, but those over 60 years old are at higher risk. Avoid inactivity and sitting still — After a common procedure like knee replacement, it is important get moving as soon as possible.

Even if you are in bed, simple exercises like ankle pumps can help. Satish Vayuvegula. Share this post. Schedule your consultation today 3. Raise your feet when sleeping Think about the amount of time you spend sedentary when sleeping. Know the Signs of a Possible Blood Clot If you are noticing anything unusual, be sure to schedule an appointment with a vein specialist.

Worried about blood clots in your legs? Schedule a Consultation. Medically Reviewed by. Satish Vayuvegula Dr. Satish Vayuvegula is recognized as a physician who has met rigorous standards of knowledge and extensive training in phlebology, the diagnosis and treatment of varicose vein disease and related disorders. You are at higher risk for DVT if you:. Visit your doctor if you think you might have DVT.

They will review your symptoms and health history and do a physical exam. They may order tests to help diagnose it. An ultrasound is the most common test. It uses sound waves to check the blood flow in your veins.

A venography also can be done to find blood clots. A doctor injects dye into your veins and then takes an X-ray to check your blood flow. There are several things you can do to help prevent DVT. These are more important if you are at increased risk. Several medicines are used to treat and prevent DVT. Common ones include warfarin or heparin. Warfarin is taken as a pill and heparin is given intravenously in your veins. Warfarin can cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant should not take warfarin.

Newer treatment programs recommend NOACs novel oral anticoagulants as preferable medicines in most settings. Brand names include Eliquis, Pradaxa, and Xarelto. Anticoagulants can cause you to bleed more easily. For example, you might notice that your blood takes longer to clot when you cut yourself. You may bruise more easily as well.

If you have any unusual or heavy bleeding, call your doctor right away. Some other medicines can affect how well an anticoagulant works. Talk to your doctor before you take any new medicine.

This includes over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. Certain foods rich in vitamin K, such as dark green vegetables, also can have an effect. Your doctor may suggest putting a filter in your vena cava. This is the main vein that carries blood from your lower body to your heart. This filter can catch a clot as it moves through your bloodstream and prevent it from reaching your lungs.

This treatment is more common for people who have had several blood clots travel to their lungs. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by DVT. With early treatment, those with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism to less than one percent. Blood thinners like Heparin and Coumadin are effective in preventing further clotting and can prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring.

Some symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, rapid pulse, sweating, sharp chest pain, coughing up blood and fainting.

The symptoms frequently are nonspecific and can mimic many other cardiopulmonary events. It is possible for DVT to resolve itself, but there is a risk of recurrence.