Can Deep Vein Thrombosis Cause Heart Attack?
Deep vein thrombosis occurs due to blood clots occurring in the veins of a person’s body. Stroke and heart diseases like heart attack occurs when blood clots occur in the arteries of the body and not the veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart to all parts of the body while veins bring blood towards the heart. Thus blood clots affecting the arteries increase the risk of heart attack. DVT or deep vein thrombosis normally does not lead to heart attack. Nevertheless one should always be aware of his health condition and take necessary steps for treating deep vein thrombosis in case he has it.
Treating DVT or deep vein thrombosis is important. Early treatment ensures speedy recovery and reduces the risk of pulmonary embolism. The following things should be kept in mind while treating DVT or deep vein thrombosis –
- The treatment procedure should aim at prevention of the blood clots from getting bigger.
- The treatment of deep vein thrombosis should ensure prevention of further formation of blood clots.
- Treating DVT or deep vein thrombosis should include prevention of pulmonary embolism by restraining the blood clot to travel towards the lung.
- Getting rid of DVT or deep vein thrombosis also means prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome.
Ways to Prevent Getting DVT
Various measures may be suggested to prevent DVT or deep vein thrombosis. They are:
Avoid Keeping Legs Crossed: When a person is still for a while, he is advised not to cross his legs as this can hamper blood flow.
Try Being Active: If the patient has undergone surgery or has been advised bed rest for some reason, he should get moving as soon as possible.
Take Breaks When Traveling: If a person has to travel by train, car, or plane, he should occasionally stand or walk. If such is not possible, exercising lower legs may be helpful.
Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle changes are equally important to avoid DVT or deep vein thrombosis. A person should lose weight, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
Exercise: Regular Exercise may lower the risk of blood clots. This is specifically important for people who sit a lot or have to travel frequently.
What Foods To Eat To Prevent DVT?
The mechanism of DVT or deep vein thrombosis includes the presence of internal blood clots. This can be quite harmful because it affects the circulation of blood in the body. Thus in order to prevent blood clots one must primarily follow a diet which is low in saturated fats, high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. Some of the foods which help prevent blood clots are listed below-
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is found in abundance in nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. Oils like canola oil, sunflower oil and palm oil also contains vitamin E. Some about of vitamin E may also be found in oats, wheat and chickpeas. Vitamin E is proved to maintain proper blood circulation in the body, thereby keeping blood clots at bay.
Salicylates: Such compounds inhibit blood clotting. Few of the common herbs that are rich in salicylates include cayenne, paprika, ginger, thyme and so on. Strawberries, oranges, grapes, blueberries and cranberries are also known to be rich in salicylates. Other foods which are considered rich in salicylates include vinegar, wine and honey.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These are known to have blood thinning properties which are also known to prevent stroke. Fish like Salmon, Mackerel, anchovies and lake trout are known to be the main sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from this, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, canola oil, soy and corn oil also are rich in omega-3. Researches show that daily intake of omega-3s improve the blood circulation in the body and reduce the risk of blood clots.
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