Blood clots

Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Cough that produces bloody sputum.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Lightheadedness.
• Difficult or painful breathing.
• Chest pain or tightness.
• Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back or jaw.
• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg.
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech.

Consult your health care provider if you develop these symptoms in an area on an arm or leg:

• Swelling.
• Change in skin color, such as an area on the leg that looks unusually red or purple.
• Warmth.
• Pain.

Self-care measures

To reduce the risk of developing blood clots, try these tips:

• Avoid sitting for long periods. If you travel by airplane, walk the aisle now and then. For long car trips, stop frequently and walk around.
• Move. After you've had surgery or been on bed rest, the sooner you get up and move around, the better.
• Drink plenty of fluids when traveling. Dehydration can increase the risk for blood clots.
• Change your lifestyle. Lose weight, lower high blood pressure, stop smoking and exercise regularly.

• Causes