Blood clots after surgery: What you need to know

This article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Dinh Van Loc - Anesthesiologist - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 23 years of experience in anesthesiology and resuscitation.

Blood clots that appear after surgery are the result of a lack of physical activity during the recovery period. Blood clots if not detected and treated promptly can cause complications such as pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (DVT) is the result of a blood clot forming in a vein. Venous thromboembolism often occurs after surgery due to sedentary activities for a long time in bed. When you're inactive, blood flow in the deep veins slows down, which can lead to blood clots.
High-risk blood clots appear within the first 3 months after surgery, as early as 2 to 10 days after surgery.
Blood clots are more likely to form during or after surgery than in your daily life.
There are many reasons for this, but the main one is inactivity.
Inactivity makes it easier for blood to clot because using muscles normally pushes blood out of your veins and keeps blood from pooling. A hematoma can lead to blood clotting.
During surgery, you lie still on the operating table for a long time, there is a risk of blood clots.
Many people are also inactive after surgery because they are sick, sick, or unable to walk. That increases the risk of a blood clot forming after the procedure.
The type of surgery you are having can also increase your risk of blood clots forming after the procedure.
If your surgery requires cutting or repairing an artery or vein, the risk of blood clots is higher because your body works to stop bleeding by forming clots.
If you are having surgery and your heart stops beating while circulating outside the body, typically by bypass surgery (CABG), your risk of blood clots is also increased.
Your medical history and lifestyle habits can also contribute to blood clots. For example, if you are a smoker, you have a higher risk of forming blood clots than the average person, even without surgery.

A variety of medical conditions and other factors can increase the risk of blood clots forming after surgery. These include:
Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) Pregnancy, when blood clotting speed increases in preparation for childbirth Some types of cancer make blood clot more easily History of blood clots Money family history of blood clots Hormone replacement therapy Smoking Obesity Prolonged periods of immobility Heart valve problems Dehydration.

Getting up and moving while recovering from surgery is one of the best ways to prevent blood clots.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can also reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
In addition to these simple measures, your doctor may also prescribe medication to prevent blood clots from forming. As always, prevention is better than treatment.
An injection such as: Lovenox or Heparin - very common during hospital stays after surgery, this medicine is used to prevent blood clots from forming. It is less commonly prescribed for home use.
Know the symptoms of a blood clot

The treatment for blood clots depends on their location. Coumadin (warfarin) helps the body remove blood clots from the blood. Heparin may also be used to prevent further clots from forming or to prevent larger clots.
Blood clots that form in the legs are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and are the most common type of blood clot after surgery. They have a variety of causes and are usually located in the legs, but can resolve on their own and migrate vascularly.
Blood clots can travel from the legs to the lungs and cause a life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism. Although pulmonary embolism can be treated, it has a high mortality rate.
Usually, blood clots in the legs are treated with medication, but if there's a high risk of the clot traveling to the lungs or you can't take the medication safely, a device called a static filter can be placed lower motherboard.
This device acts like a small basket, catching blood clots before they can travel into the lungs and cause damage.
The doctor places these filters through a small incision in the groin or neck, and then inserts the filter into place in the inferior vena cava (a large vein). The filter can be set temporarily or permanently.
One piece of advice
Blood clots after surgery can be a very serious complication. If you have unexplained or intense pain after surgery, especially in your legs, there may be a problem with a blood clot.
It is better to inform your care provider about the possibility of a blood clot than to ignore it and experience a life-threatening problem such as a pulmonary embolism.
After surgery, it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially when there is a chance of a blood clot.