(HealthDay News) --
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in the veins deep within the body, often in the leg. If the clot travels to the lungs, the condition can be life-threatening.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help reduce the risk of DVT:
- If you aren't able to move for a period of time, try to exercise your leg muscles as much as possible. Stretch and massage them frequently.
- If you've recently been ill or had surgery, try to get up out of bed and move around as soon as possible during your recovery.
- Take any medications prescribed by your doctor following surgery that are designed to help reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Keep blood pressure under control.
- Maintain a healthy body weight and avoid smoking, as both can increase your risk of DVT.
