15 Ways You Can Prevent Blood Clots That Will Save Your Life

Blood clots are known in the medical world as deep vein thrombosis. They are known to occur in people who do not move around much and also in people who recently had surgery and require rest. So, constant movement is a great way of preventing blood clots.

Blood clots are very serious and can do some serious harm. Safety is better than cure and preventing them is easier and better than curing them. There are many measures one can take to prevent them from happening and keep oneself safe.

1Working out

Living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to many health problems. Developing blood clots in several parts of the body is one of them. This can simply be avoided by exercising regularly. In case you don’t have the time or energy to exercise for hours, you can do bursts of high-intensity workouts.

2Do high-intensity workouts

High-intensity workouts are especially good for avoiding blood clots. A high-intensity workout is one that involves a great deal of activity in a short amount of time. It can be anything like cardio or burst training that gets the heart pumping and blood flowing. 30 minutes of exercise in a day should be enough though many people even exercise for up to 60 to 90 minutes.

3Make changes in your diet

One of the causes for the development of blood clots is metabolic syndrome. Maintaining weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be challenging in our busy lives. One simple way to do this is by eating healthy. Foods like green leafy veggies and colorful vegetables heal our body from the inside. Fruits, legumes and fatty foods containing omega 3 like wild salmon and grass-fed beef are also good.

4Natural blood thinners

The natural thing to counter a blood clot is a blood thinner. Sometimes when a clot is detected, doctors recommend medicines which thin the blood. But you can include natural blood thinners in your diet to prevent developing clots. Some natural blood thinners are raw garlic, turmeric, tea with gingko.

5Take breaks from sitting

This is pretty much common sense. You should always avoid sitting for long periods of time. Whether you are working in an office or driving, try to take breaks every hour or half an hour and stretch your legs and walk around for a little while. Not only will this help your blood circulation, it also benefits your spine.

6Flex your toes and ankles

While sitting, our legs tend to become numb because of the lack of blood circulation. To avoid this, even while sitting, you can flex your ankles, twist your toes and move them around a little. Wiggle your toes, point them straight and then circle with your ankle.

7Lift your legs

After sitting for long periods of time, you should try to come home and lift our legs on the wall. This helps improve blood circulation. Lifting your legs a few inches above your head and heart can really help blood flow throughout your body. Mostly, blood flow is best near the legs because it is closest to the force of gravity. But this is a great way of ensuring blood flows throughout the whole body.

8Change your position

While sitting for long hours, it is a good idea to keep changing positions. Also, don’t keep your legs above one another or sitting cross-legged for a long time. This can really affect blood circulation in this area. Sit in a relaxed and comfortable pose. This especially applies to people who feel numbness in their legs.

9Compression stockings

If you are someone who has poor blood circulation and often experiences numbness in your legs, you should consult a doctor and ask them if you need to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings help with increasing blood flow and circulation in the leg area. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and look just like normal stockings.

10Bathe in Epsom saltwater

Epsom salt is one ingredient found commonly in bath bombs. Instead of purchasing expensive bath bombs, just buy Epsom salt and some essential oils. While bathing, put some Epsom salt in the water along with a few drops of essential oil. Epsom salt really helps boost blood circulation, ensuring you have a relaxing bath.

11Using essential oils

Helichrysum essential oil is the one that is used to break u blood clots. Even by applying the oil on the surface of the skin, it breaks clots below the skin surface. The oil is made from a yellow flower which is a natural blood thinner. Simply massage a few drops on areas where circulation is the worst.

12Health supplements

Most of us consume health supplements in one form or another. One of the best supplements to consume is Vitamin E. Whatever form you consume it in, it will benefit your heart, blood circulation, skin hair, etc. it reduces blood pressure and clears blocked arteries. Some foods that are naturally rich in this vitamin are hazelnuts, avocados, broccoli, spinach, etc.

13Stop smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for health but they still continue. Smoking cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and other tobacco products can actually increase the chances of developing blood clots. The risk is even greater for overweight people. This is just another reason to quit smoking. It serves no purpose in the long run.

14Change medications

Some medications often have side effects such as causing blood clots. Some examples of such medicines are hormone replacement pills, birth control pills, cancer medication, and blood pressure medicines. If you take any of these medications, you should consult a doctor first and make sure they are not causing clots. There are several alternative medicines for each of these.

15Wear loose-fitting clothes

Most people nowadays only wear skinny jeans that are fitting to the body. This may not be such a good idea because it restricts blood flow. Even if you want to wear fitted clothes, don’t go for super skinny or extremely tight clothes. Never wear clothes that are smaller than your size as this will definitely affect your blood circulation.