If you develop any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency medical treatment to rule out or diagnose you with a pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially life-threatening blood clot that has lodged in the lungs or pulmonary artery.
Want to stave off deadly clots, implement these life-saving measures in your life.
Stay Active.
When you’re sedentary for long periods of time, blood can pool in the legs, increasing your odds of developing a DVT. If you work at a desk all day, if you’re taking a long flight or going on a long car trip, you should get up and stretch your legs every two hours or so.
There are also exercises that you can do from your desk or plane seat, such as contracting and relaxing your leg muscles. These movements help keep your blood flowing. Being active in your day-to-day life and exercising on a regular basis can also help minimize your risk for developing a blood clot.
Exercise routines such as walking, biking, or swimming are great for overall health, and are low-impact activities for people who may not otherwise be able to participate in rigorous activities.
If you are immobilized because of an injury, hospitalization, or illness, invest in special leg cuffs that use compression to minimize your risk for developing a DVT. You can also lower your risk of developing a blood clot by raising the bottom of your bed four to six inches, and by avoiding using pillows under the knee, which will affect blood flow to the lower legs.
Quit Smoking.
This is pretty much a no-brainer. If you smoke, quit. Snuff out the cigs. if you can't do it on your own, look into smoking cessation programs or products such as nicotine gum, patches, acupuncture or hypnotism.