Blood Clots and Bed Rest

Blood Clots and Bed Rest

Bed rest may be medically recommended for individuals for a variety of reasons; pregnancy, post-surgical recovery, illness, or injury, or even partial or complete paralysis. So if it’s required, how do you go about reducing the risk of blood clots?

Blood clots often form due to immobility or inactivity. The primary cause of this type of blood clot is the pooling of the blood in the lower extremities, though blood clots can also occur in the pelvic region (most common for pregnancy scenarios) and the upper body and arms.

Nevertheless, even small movements are beneficial in reducing the risk of a blood clot developing. At the other end of the spectrum, what if you already have a blood clot? Won’t movement increase the risk of it breaking off and traveling through the body, perhaps leading to a heart attack or stroke?

Dealing with blood clots with bed rest scenarios

A primary concern of healthcare professionals in a post-surgical or injury scenario is the risk of blood clot development. Blood clotting is a natural process of the body – a necessary one – but sometimes, blood clots break free of vessel walls in the lower legs or thigh (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and travel through the arteries, potentially clogging vessels that supply the lung (a pulmonary embolism or PE), the heart (heart attack), or the brain (stroke). Each poses a serious risk.

Common approaches to treating blood clots are treatment with anticoagulant medications coupled with bed rest. Some medical research encourages gentle movement or ambulation in an effort to keep blood moving and prevent pooling.

Early ambulation or encouragement of movement even in bed rest scenarios may also improve healing rates, reduce pain, and prevent muscular atrophy or decline. In a number of studies researching this issue, it was determined that a person who moves or ambulates early on not only improves mental and emotional quality for that patient but provides additional benefits as well. Such benefits include enhanced lung function (reducing the risk of development of congestion or pneumonia), neurological stimulation, and of course, cardiovascular function.

Proceed with caution

Discuss your condition or post-surgical or injury treatment plan with your doctor before you take it upon yourself to ambulate (or not) following a DVT or surgical procedure. Every case is different.

Never self-diagnose. Always follow your discharge instructions regarding exercise as well as weight-bearing limits.

Over and above that, if you’re on best rest, stay hydrated, which will also help prevent the blood from thickening and pooling. Discuss with your doctor ways in which you can move or exercise so that you keep your circulation going and help reduce your risk of developing a blood clot.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Education

Richard Cohen’s Story with Blood Clots

A special thank you to Richard M. Cohen for helping the American Blood Clot Association to educate the public about the danger of blood clots. Mr. Cohen has been the recipient of numerous awards in journalism, including three Emmys, a George Foster Peabody and a Cable Ace Award. He is married to journalist, Meredith Vieira

Read More »
Education

Blood Clot or Charlie Horse?

We’ve all felt it – that teeth-grinding muscle spasm in the arch of the foot, the back of the calf, or the back of the thigh (hamstrings). When do you know if that Charlie Horse is more than a muscle cramp? What if you get them often? How can you tell the difference between a

Read More »
Science

Does Aspirin Cause Blood Clots?

Aspirin is an over-the-counter product that’s been used for generations, not only to reduce pain and fever, but for other benefits as well. Does aspirin cause blood clots? No. That doesn’t mean that using it is without risks for some. One of the benefits of low-dose aspirin (around 75 mg to 80 mg) daily has the potential

Read More »
Prevention

Foods that Prevent Blood Clots

Blood clots form for a number of reasons: a surgical procedure, obesity, a medical condition, or an injury. Blood thinning and anticoagulation medications are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots for individuals at risk. In addition to medication, a number of foods prove beneficial in preventing the development of blood clots.Blood clots are commonly formed

Read More »
Education

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

What is a pulmonary embolism? Pulmonary embolism defines the sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery inside the lung by an embolus, typically from a blood clot that has an origin somewhere else in the body, such as a deep vein thrombosis of the leg. When it comes to defining signs and pulmonary embolism symptoms, the

Read More »
Education

How is Someone Tested for Blood Clots?

A definitive diagnosis of the presence of a blood clot can be performed at your doctor’s office or hospital setting. Depending on the suspected location of the blood clot and the type, a physician has a number of options at his or her disposal. Among them include:  Blood tests  CT scans  Ultrasounds  MRIs How do blood

Read More »
Scroll to Top