

If you are unable to take blood thinners for any reason, your doctor may recommend a minor surgical procedure in which a filter is inserted into a large vein in your abdomen, known as the inferior vena cava. They are used only in life-threatening situations and only if you are hospitalized. Thrombolytics can cause serious bleeding. ThrombolyticsĪlso known as tissue plasminogen activators, thrombolytics are given intravenously (by IV) or through a catheter positioned near an existing blood clot. All blood thinners must be taken as prescribed to avoid serious side effects. Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to check how long it takes for your blood to clot. If your doctor prescribes oral anticoagulation therapy - such as Coumadin (warfarin), Xarelto (riv aroxaban), Eliquis ( apixaban), or Savaysa (exoxaban) - you will typically take these medications for three months or longer. Injectable blood thinners include these examples: When you start anticoagulation therapy by injection, your doctor will often administer the first few doses, after which you may be able to administer the injections on your own. Although anticoagulants don't break up existing clots, they can prevent the clot from growing in size and prevent new clots from forming.

Using birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or hormone replacement therapy can also increase your blood's clotting abilities.Īccording to the CDC, treatments for DVT include the following options:Īnticoagulants, or blood thinners, are usually the first-choice treatment for DVT. This risk increases during pregnancy (women with an inherited clotting disorder are at higher risk) and for up to six weeks after giving birth. If you have heart failure, you are at an increased risk for DVT and pulmonary embolism due to limited heart and lung function.īeing overweight or obese increases the pressure in the veins of your legs and pelvis, raising the risk of clots. Some types of cancer or cancer treatment may increase levels of certain substances in your blood that cause clots. Inflammatory bowel disease ( Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).Use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.Injuries to the legs that affect the veins.Medical treatment requiring long hospital stays or bed rest.Deep vein thrombosis can result from certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic:
