You probably have heard of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a “thrombus” is a blood clot that has formed along the inside of a blood vessel and remains there. This blood clot is composed of aggregated platelets, red blood cells, and a mesh of fibrin (a fibrous protein), and it can interfere with healthy blood flow.
A thrombus can form in an artery or a vein. The main danger posed by a thrombosed vein is that the clot can break loose and go right to the lung, causing a possibly fatal pulmonary embolism.
Let’s talk about what causes thrombosed veins, how you can avoid them, and where you can go in Tampa Bay to have professional vein treatment so you can enjoy healthy circulation and a healthy body.
What Causes Thrombosed Veins?
The following conditions may result in a thrombosed vein:
- Injury to the vein: Blood clot formation after an injury or damage to a vein is a normal physiological process. When the wound heals, the blood clot usually resolves naturally. However, if the blood clot in the vein does not go away, the thrombus remains in place.
- Sedentary lifestyle: When you live a sedentary or stationary lifestyle, the prolonged sitting or standing posture can cause the blood flow in your legs to slow down in various spots in the veins. The blood can thus start to pool in certain areas of your leg, which can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, or thrombus formation.
- Surgery: After having surgery, bed rest with little or no movement may increase your risk of developing blood clots, as blood flow decreases.
- Medication and hormones: Certain clotting medications and hormones, such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, can cause thrombosed veins.
- Obesity: Being overweight puts pressure on all tissues and structures in your body, including your blood vessels.
- Inherited blood-clotting disorders.
- Certain autoimmune disorders that can cause the blood to form clots.
How to Avoid Thrombosed Veins
The best way to avoid blood clots in your veins is by moving around. If you have to be seated throughout your day, stand up and walk around periodically.
Exercises that can help circulate blood include knee pulls, foot pumps, and ankle circles:
- In the knee pull exercise, bend your legs, pull your knees toward your chest, and wrap them with your arms for greater stretch.
- For the foot pump exercise, place your feet flat on the floor, and raise your knees slightly while keeping the balls of your feet on the floor.
- The ankle circle exercise involves lifting both of your feet off the floor and making a circle with your toes.
Some other ways that can help you prevent thrombosed veins include:
- Doing light activities to improve blood flow
- Controlling your underlying health conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Quitting smoking
- Drinking plenty of fluids
Vein Treatment in Palm Harbor, Saint Petersburg, and Largo
If you are looking for a vein specialist who can help you achieve and maintain healthy circulation, see our board-certified vein specialist Dr. Edward Mackay. Dr. Mackay has years of experience evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and preventing vein conditions, including thrombosed veins, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and spider veins.
Call us today at (727) 781-5652 or fill out our appointment request form now to arrange a consultation with our expert vein specialist. We look forward to serving you!
