Less Mobile Elders at Higher Risk of Blood Clots

Less mobile Elders are at higher risk of blood clots which cause heart attacks and strokes. So at Daughterly Care, we want all our private in-home Nurses, In Home Care Caregivers and Live in Carers and clients to be aware of the signs and risks of blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Our Private Registered Nurse, Charmayne has compiled valuable information on blood clots so you can take action to prevent or treat blood clots quickly.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – Signs, Symptoms and Prevention

A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins. It usually develops in the leg, most commonly in the calf or thigh, however, it may also form in the deep veins of the arms, pelvis or abdomen. When the blood flow slows or is blocked, a clot may form on the wall of a vein.

Elders at risk:

• DVT is a common complication of surgery and immobility. It can occur at any age but people most at risk are adults over age 60.
• Being overweight or obese is associated with reduced mobility and is a known risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
• When walking, calf muscles contract and blood is pumped from the veins towards the heart. Reduced mobility causes the blood flow to become sluggish and increases the likelihood of blood clots forming. Lack of movement may occur after illness, surgery, or travelling and sitting for long periods.
• Other risk factors include a previous history of DVT, inherited clotting disorders, taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy and smoking. All these increase the risk of blood clots occurring.

Signs and Symptoms

It is important to recognise that only about half of the people who have DVT, show signs and symptoms.

The signs and symptoms in the leg affected by a DVT include:

1. Swelling of the leg or along a vein in the leg;
2. Pain or tenderness in the leg, which may only be felt when standing or walking;
3. Increased warmth in the area of the leg that’s swollen or painful;
4. Red or discoloured skin on the leg.

The first indication of a DVT may be the signs and symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). This is where a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, restricting blood flow and decreasing oxygen levels in the blood.  It can be life threatening when the blood clot travels to your heart, therefore causing a heart attack or travels to your brain, causing a stroke.

Common signs and symptoms include:

✔ Unexplained shortness of breath – appears suddenly and always gets worse with exertion.

✔ Chest pain – the pain may become worse when you breathe deeply, cough, eat, bend or stoop. The pain will get worse with exertion and will not go away when you rest.

✔ Coughing – which may produce blood streaked sputum.

✔ Rapid breathing and a fast heart rate also may be signs of PE.