Preventing deep vein thrombosis -- the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein -- is vital. That's because the clot, which usually forms in a calf or thigh muscle, can partly or completely block blood flow and damage valves in blood vessels. It can also break free and travel through your blood to major organs, such as your lungs -- which can be fatal.

Doctors diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in 600,000 Americans each year. One out of 100 of these people die. If you're at risk, there much you can do to prevent DVT.

DVT Prevention: Healthy Lifestyle and Regular Checkups

To lower your risk and help prevent DVT, take these steps:

• Maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly -- daily, if possible. Walking, swimming, or bicycling are all great activities.
• Manage your weight with exercise as well as a healthy diet.
• If you smoke, quit. A nicotine patch, gum, spray or support group can make this much easier to do.
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly; take steps to lower it, if necessary.
• Report any family or personal history of blood-clotting problems to your doctor.
• Discuss alternatives to birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy with your doctor.
• During pregnancy, ask your doctor what you can do to help prevent DVT.

Preventing DVT After Surgery or While Bedridden

If you need surgery, your surgeon will review your medical history to help assess your risk for deep vein thrombosis and determine whether you need aggressive measures to prevent DVT.

Your DVT risk may begin with becoming immobile and continue for several months following surgery. However, in some cases, your risk is greatest right after surgery and about 10 days afterward.

Researchers continue to look at the best ways to prevent DVT after surgery. For example, some studies show that using regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, when possible, can decrease your DVT risks.

Here are other measures your doctor may suggest to help prevent DVT:

• Take any blood thinners (anticoagulants) your doctor prescribes before or right after surgery. These may include aspirin, heparin, or warfarin. You may receive some of these by injection or intravenously (IV).
• Wear a sleeve-like device on your legs during surgery to compress your legs and keep blood flowing through your veins.
• Wear elastic compression stockings. These keep blood from pooling in your veins.
• Elevate the foot of your bed.
• Get up and move as soon as you can after surgery, or after you've been ill.
• Take pain medicine as prescribed to make it easier to move around.
• Do any leg exercises your doctor or other health care provider prescribes. These may include leg lifts and gentle foot and ankle exercises.

Prevent DVT When Traveling

Deep vein thrombosis prevention is also something to consider when you travel. That's because sitting still for long periods puts you at risk. Because children tend to move around more, even while sitting, their risk is not as high.

Prevent DVT when traveling with these six steps:

• Consider purchasing compression stockings at a medical supply store and wearing them during your travels.
• Avoid wearing short, tight socks or crossing your legs for long periods.
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid dehydrating fluids, such as coffee and alcohol. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and vessels to narrow.
• When traveling by car, stop every few hours to walk around.
• Between connecting flights and during long flights, get up and move around. This squeezes the blood vessels, helping to prevent DVT by preventing the formation of blood clots.
• If you can't easily move around, curl or press your toes down often throughout your trip.

Reviewed by Martin E. Zipser, MD, May 2007

SOURCES: American Heart Association: "Venous Thromboembolism & Pulmonary Embolism – Statistics." Goldhaber, SZ and Morrison, RB. Circulation. 2002; 106: 1436. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: "Deep Vein Thrombosis." American Academy of Family Physicians: "Deep Vein Thrombosis: What You Should Know." Society for Vascular Surgery: "Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). FDA: "Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis: Keep the Blood Flowing."