60% of clots happen in hospital or in the 90 days following admission

What is a Blood Clot?

This is the formation of a clot inside a blood vessel, usually in the leg, which may break off and go to lungs. This can be fatal.

Blood clots can be very serious – but there are effective treatments to deal with them and help prevent them

Signs and Symptoms of a Blood Clot

• Swelling or pain in one leg or arm
• Warmth or redness in the leg or arm
• Short of breath or rapid breathing
• Chest pain (particularly when breathing deeply)
• Coughing or coughing up blood
• Severe Headache, that won’t go away

If you have one or more of these, you may have a clot and need urgent treatment

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You have a higher chance of getting a clot in hospital than on an aeroplane

What can I do to help myself?

• Ask for your risk of blood clots to be assessed, especially if you are in one of the higher risk groups listed opposite
• Walk and move as much as possible
• Drink plenty of fluids
• If directed to use stockings or medication to prevent or treat a clot follow instructions exactly
• Remember, a blood clot in the veins is more in the veins is more likely up to 90 days after being in hospital
• If you have any signs or symptoms of a clot, take immediate action to seek medical help

Am I at risk?

You may be at higher risk if you:

• are the admitted to hospital and for 90 days after you go home
• have active cancer or receiving cancer treatment
• are pregnant or have had a baby less than 6 weeks ago
• become immobile (more than 3 days in bed/ travel non-stop more than 6 hours/in a leg cast)

Risk May Increase Further if:

• you or a close relative had a blood clot
• you had surgery in the last 90 days
• you have thrombophilia (tendency to clot)
• you are on the oral contraceptive pill or HRT
• you have heart, lung or inflammatory disease
• you are over 60 years of age or are overweight
• you have varicose veins that become red and sore