Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback. If you need advice or
are concerned about any aspect of care or treatment please
speak to a member of staff or contact the Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS):
Freephone: 0800 183 0204
From a mobile or abroad: 0115 924 9924 ext. 65412 or 62301
Preventing Blood Clots
E-mail: [email protected]
Letter: NUH NHS Trust, c/o PALS, Freepost NEA 14614,
Nottingham NG7 1BR
www.nuh.nhs.uk
A guide for patients
NUH Thrombosis Committee
You may be at risk of a blood clot while you are in hospital.
This leaflet provides information about blood clots and how to
reduce the risk of developing a clot.
Feel free to ask a doctor or nurse if you may be at risk of
developing a clot.
This document can be provided in different
languages and formats.
The Trust endeavours to ensure that the information given here
is accurate and impartial.
Please speak to the Ward or Department who gave you
this leaflet if you require a different format.
NUH Thrombosis Committee © March 2017. All rights reserved. Nottingham University
Hospitals NHS Trust. Review March 2019 Ref: 1159/v6/0317/SK .
NUH01816S
Public information
Why can blood clots be harmful?
Blood clotting is a natural, protective mechanism that is
triggered by the body when you cut yourself. It is essential to
prevent you from bleeding too much.
However, just being unwell and in hospital can mean you
develop a harmful clot in the deep veins of the leg, called a
Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. Symptoms can include
swelling, pain, tenderness and redness. If this blood clot
stays in your leg it may not cause serious problems, but if it
becomes dislodged, it can travel through your veins to the blood
vessels in your lungs. This is called a Pulmonary Embolism or
PE and can be very serious. People who have a PE may have
sharp pains in their chest. They can also be short of breath
or cough up blood. If you experience any of these symptoms
tell the doctor or nurse immediately.
The risk of developing a clot
There are several factors which increase the risk of developing
blood clots. Factors such as admission to hospital and being
less mobile than usual can increase your risk. Also, if you have
ever had a blood clot before, it is important that you tell your
doctor or nurse.
What else may increase my risk?
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Over 60 years of age
If you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 weeks
If you are over weight and have a BMI greater than 30
If you are taking oral contraceptives, HRT and / or
chemotherapy
If you have a diagnosis of cancer
If a close member of your family has a history of clots
If you smoke
If your mobility is reduced for any reason
If you become dehydrated
Chronic medical conditions
If you have had a DVT or PE previously
Some surgical operations, especially ones lasting longer
than 90 minutes
All patients should be assessed for their individual risk of blood
clots within 24 hours of admission. If you are concerned about
your risk and want to check if you have been assessed, please
ask your doctor or nurse. Following assessment, one or more of
the following preventative options may be offered to you:
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An injection of blood thinning medicine
Mechanical foot pumps
Anti-embolic stockings
If you would like to know more about the preventative measures
offered to you, please ask your doctor or nurse.
What can you do to help reduce your risk of clots?
Simple lifestyle changes such as losing weight and stopping
smoking can help to reduce your risk
 When it is safe to do so, getting back to normal mobility as
soon as possible
 Complete any exercises as advised
 Drink plenty of fluids (unless advised otherwise) as keeping
hydrated helps to keep the blood flowing
Please remind the nurses and doctors caring for you if you
are prescribed daily anticoagulant injections but you are
unsure if you have received them, or if your stockings have
been left off after bathing.
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What about when I leave hospital?
Before you leave hospital please check if you are to continue
any treatment you have been prescribed. You need to continue
to move about as much as you can, drink plenty of fluids (unless
advised otherwise) and continue to wear stockings if you have
been given them. Sometimes you will need to continue the blood
thinning injections at home, and you will be given information
about this from your nurse or doctor.
If you develop any signs or symptoms of a DVT or PE, as
described earlier, when at home then please seek medical
advice immediately, either from your GP, or your nearest
hospital emergency department.