5 Ways to Decrease Your Risk of Blood Clots

February 22, 2017   |   8 Comments   |   1

You know blood clots are dangerous and that you definitely don’t want one…

But how do they form?

And who is most at risk?

Put simply, blood is liquid, and when it thickens, it clots. While clotting is necessary to stop cuts and wounds from bleeding, internal clotting is very dangerous, even deadly.

There are a few different types of clots, but one of the most common and deadliest is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a clot that forms in the deep vessels of the lower extremities. If it dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can lead to a pulmonary embolism, impairing blood flow and oxygen to the lungs resulting in stroke and, if not treated in time, death.

Symptoms of blood clots include redness, pain, swelling and heaviness in the affected area. If you are at risk and have experienced any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately.

Who is at Risk?

There are several risk factors that can result in the formation of blood clots inside the blood vessels:

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman has extra estrogen circulating throughout her body and this may contribute to an increase in the amount of clotting factors. Additionally, pregnancy increases the pressure in the pelvic and leg veins. Also important to mention is that the risk of developing blood clots can continue for up to six weeks after giving birth, so it’s important to move your body both during and after the baby is born. Walking, prenatal yoga and other gentle exercises are a great way to decrease the risk of developing blood clots.

Prolonged Immobility

Spending long periods of time not moving your body puts a person at risk. Whether it’s traveling on a plane, driving or riding in a car, or spending long periods of time in front of a computer, it’s vitally important to get up and move around every 30 or 40 minutes to keep your venous blood flowing.

An Irregular Heartbeat

Many people are unaware they have an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) as there are generally no symptoms and it goes completely undetected. But having one can increase your risk for developing blood clots. Because an irregular heartbeat hinders blood from being thoroughly pumped into the ventricles, blood can begin to pool in the upper chamber, leading to potential clots and stroke.

Surgery

Major surgery, particularly of the legs of lower abdomen, increases the risk of DVT because it renders the patient temporarily immobile.

Smoking

Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals, and some of these may cause blood vessel damage, which can lead to an increased risk of DVT.

Obesity

Due to decreased mobility and poor circulation, obesity puts you at a higher risk for developing blood clots.

Age

While DVT can occur at any age, the older you are, the more at risk you are. About 1 in every 1,000 people will develop DVT each year, and people over the age of 60 face the most risk.

Cancer

Several types of cancer can increase a patient’s risk of developing blood clots. With these cancers, there is an increased production of platelets and other clotting factors. And, when cancer patients undergo chemotherapy as treatment, the cancer cells that are killed release substances that may cause coagulation of blood inside the vessels. And, some chemotherapy drugs themselves may cause more clotting than others. On top of this, many patients will need to be inactive during treatment, which also puts them at a higher risk.

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5 Natural Ways of Decreasing Your Risk of Blood Clots

Now that you know who’s most at risk of developing blood clots, let’s talk about some natural ways you can decrease that risk.

1. Frequent Exercise

As we’ve read, one of the risk factors in developing blood clots is obesity. It’s important that you exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. Doing so will significantly reduce your risk, provided you also eat a healthy and balanced diet consisting mostly of plant-based and whole foods.

2. Quit Smoking

Not only do smokers have difficulty exercising, causing them to be inactive, but smoking damages the inner lining of the blood vessels. If you or a loved one are a smoker, now is definitely the time to quit.

3. Eat Foods Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E

Besides being great for fighting inflammation, Omega 3 and vitamin E contain components that have blood thinning properties that reduce a person’s risk of forming clots. Excellent sources of Omega 3s are cold water fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel. Foods high in vitamin E are avocado, sweet potato, and almonds.

4. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Too much alcohol increases the risk of forming blood clots. However, limiting consumption to one drink a day, preferably a glass of red wine, reduces your risk.

5. Stay Hydrated

Water is one of the biggest components of our blood, so it is important that you drink plenty of fresh, clean water every day. This will keep your blood thin and allow it to flow smoothly and freely.

As you’ve just read, the risk of forming blood clots is greatly reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This involves eating a diet consisting of plants and other whole foods, exercising, and refraining from smoking or consuming too much alcohol.

Another thing you can do to support healthy blood flow is consider supplementation.

Try a combination of Cardio Relax AO™ and Heartzest™. Cardio Relax AO offers a powerful blend of 10 different antioxidants that neutralize the damage of free radicals and promote healthy blood flow. And Heartzest will keep your arteries clear and your blood pressure down. It’s as simple as that.

Find out how you can make an impact on the health of your blood vessels in just seconds.

8 Comments

  1. Larry Goff

    April 26, 2017 Reply

    Another important way to prevent blood clots is to be aware that higher than normal testosterone can thicken the blood and make clotting more possible. I am 69 years old diagnosed with Low T. I had some Testosterone pellet implants at the doctors office. I felt great until I developed a clot in my right thigh and developed pulmonary embolisms in my lungs. Due to the high number of implants (9) my Testosterone levels went from 176 to 1450. My levels should have been around 400. In my opinion you start off low and work your way up to the level it should be. I trusted the doctors' recommendation to my detriment.

  2. sardari kermani

    February 28, 2017 Reply

    thanks for your uaseful health hints,as a physician I enjoy going over them
    once in a while,and find them very helpfull for the public as a whole,more
    over they are free of charge too.

  3. Mahmoud BouRaad

    February 23, 2017 Reply

    Values mater. So does freedom.
    That's very interesting and important article and should be shared by all the people we know. Actually, I did forward it to all on my contact list.

  4. Leslie Allen

    February 23, 2017 Reply

    I have been having a real problem with my blood clotting in my hands at night. When I told my doctor, he placated me and chuckled. And so I have to force the blood back and forth in my arms to break loose the clots nearly twice or three times a night. Reciently... I found that Natto helps to break up clots. So I found a Natto extract that I have been mixing with Ginko Baloba (naturally thins the blood)... and have found that it really helps almost immediately. So, I take Ginko Tea every evening... with Natto extract in a capsule. It really works. But I think the real problem is eating too much carbs and sugar products. As that seems to thicken my blood. Anyway... the Ginko and Natto has saved my life many times over.
    I am also going to start taking some Cod liver oil soon as I can find a good source.
    Regards.

  5. Cynthia A.Kelly

    February 22, 2017 Reply

    Ty.you news was very educational and extremely helpful.

  6. Homer Lee Owen

    February 22, 2017 Reply

    I am 82 yrs old and give a pint of blood every two months and this gives me a new pint of blood shortly after my giving a pint and the new blood is better in my body than the one I gave. I fast three days after giving my blood like Jesus did when He was buried after sharing all of HIs blood. My local doctor looked at my blood before and after I gave a pint. He told me that my blood was perfect after three days. God is good.

  7. JEFF KAZ

    February 22, 2017 Reply

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING IMPORTANT ARTICLE FOR OUR LIFE.
    MY WIFE AND I, WE ARE VERY CAREFUL WHAT WE EAT AND HAVE A 2 TIMES A WEEK WORK OUT IN THE GYM , WE ARE HEALTHY THANK GOD WE ARE 73 & 82 WITH NO COMPLAINTS LITTLE OVER WAIT BUT HEALTHY NOT LIVING ON MEDICINE BUT EATING HEALTHY IS OUR WAY WITH NO ABUSE TO OUR BODY WE GIVE OUR THANKS TO GOD .
    GOD BLESS YOU .

    BISHOP JEFF KAZ

    • frenchsquared

      February 23, 2017 Reply

      That's amazing to hear! Great job Bishop Jeff Kaz :)

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