Pulmonary Embolism

Prevention

Daily use of anticoagulant medicines may help prevent recurring pulmonary embolism by stopping new blood clots from forming and stopping existing clots from growing.

The risk of forming another blood clot is highest during the 4 to 6 weeks after the first episode of pulmonary embolism.⁷ This risk decreases over time. However, the risk remains high for months and sometimes years depending upon what caused the pulmonary embolism. People with recurrent blood clots and/or pulmonary embolism may have to take anticoagulants daily for the rest of their lives.⁹ Anticoagulant medicines also are often used for people who are not active due to illness or injury, or people who are having surgery on the legs, abdomen, or pelvis.³

Other preventive methods may also be used, such as:

• Getting you moving shortly after surgery.
• Wearing compression stockings to help prevent leg deep vein thrombosis if you are at increased risk for this condition.

ASA (Aspirin) may reduce the risk of forming blood clots.¹⁰ ASA, however, is not adequate for treating pulmonary embolism.

You are at higher risk for blood clots when you are travelling because of long periods of inactivity.¹¹ To help prevent blood clots during travel:

• Wear compression stockings if you are at risk for deep vein thrombosis.
• Get up and walk around every half hour to an hour.
• Pump your feet up and down by pulling your toes up toward your knees then pointing them down.
• Drink extra fluids.
• Avoid drinks that have alcohol or caffeine in them, because they cause you to lose fluids. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and many sodas.
• Take a low-dose ASA before long airplane or car trips.
• Take a dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) if your doctor recommends it because you are at high risk for blood clots.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: March 23, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology
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