How to reduce your risk

How to reduce the risk of blood clots

The most important step to reduce your risk is to work closely with your healthcare team. You should analyze your personal risk of blood clots and create a prevention plan, especially when your UC is getting worse.

Keeping UC in remission is also part of prevention. Research shows that about three-quarters of blood clots in people with IBD occur when the disease is actively worsening.

However, the risk does not disappear completely when the symptoms disappear. “Even when UC is under control, the risk of blood clots is higher than normal,” says Naseer. “Some inflammation, active platelets and genetics can keep this risk high.”

Here are more steps you can take.

1. Know the symptoms of DVT

It is possible to have DVT without any warning signs or symptoms. About 30 percent of people with DVT do not experience any symptoms.

However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Swelling in the legs or arms.

Pain or tenderness not caused by injury in these areas.

Skin on the arm or leg that feels hot to the touch.

Redness or discoloration of the skin on the arm or leg.

You should call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly experience any of these symptoms:

Sudden shortness of breath

Chest pain that worsens when breathing deeply.

cough blood

Fast or irregular heartbeat or breathing.

Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint

2. Stay active

“Because ulcerative colitis can increase the chance of blood clotting, staying active is very important,” says Naseer. “Try walking several times a day, even short distances. If you’re sitting or lying down for long periods, move your legs and flex your ankles.” This helps keep blood circulating effectively.

3. Review your medications

Certain medications can increase the risk of blood clots as a side effect, so it’s important to review everything you take with your doctor. This includes treatments for both your UC and any other conditions you have. Some examples include:

Corticosteroids: “Steroids can help control flare-ups, but they can double or quadruple the risk of clots, which is why we use them only short-term and reduce them quickly,” Naseer says.

JAK inhibitors: This class of medication is an effective treatment for UC, but carries a possible risk of blood clots, as noted in a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Combined hormonal contraceptives: Some forms of birth control, including the pill, patch, and ring combination, may slightly increase the risk of DVT.

This doesn’t mean you can’t take these medications; rather, it is something your doctor will take into account when determining the best treatment for you. Do not stop taking your medications without first talking to your doctor. Treating your condition and achieving remission is the priority.

4. Quit smoking

Quitting smoking is another important step to reduce risk. Smoking damages the lining of blood vessels and makes platelets more likely to stick together, increasing the chance of a clot forming.

5. Watch your weight

It is important to maintain good habits that support a healthy weight. Research suggests that being overweight or obese may be related to more severe disease activity and may sometimes reduce the effectiveness of certain therapies.

6. Be aware when traveling

Sitting for long periods can slow circulation and increase the risk of blood clots, especially during trips lasting more than four hours.

“On long trips, get up and stretch at least once every one to two hours,” says Naseer. “Keeping blood moving is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of clots.”

If you can’t get up, you can do simple leg exercises in your seat to promote blood flow:

Raise your heels while keeping your toes on the floor and then lower them down.

Next, lift your toes keeping your heels on the ground and then lower them down. Do this for 30 seconds and repeat as many times as you like.

7. Have a plan before and after surgery

Being hospitalized for a severe UC flare or surgery increases the risk of developing a blood clot. Your healthcare team will take steps to protect you during this vulnerable time.

To prevent clots, it is standard practice for hospitals to administer a low dose of anticoagulant medication by injection.

After surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and start moving around as soon as it is safe to do so. This early movement is another strategy to prevent blood clots.