Can You Exercise If You Have DVT?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you exercise if you have DVT?

Early walking exercise was safe in patients with a DVT

and may have improved acute symptoms. Exercise training did not acutely increase leg symptoms in patients with a previous DVT and may prevent or improve post-thrombotic syndrome.

Is it OK to workout with a blood clot?

Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps.

Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion

.

How much exercise can you do with a DVT?

Keeping blood moving to all areas of the body helps prevent blood clot formation. If you cannot exercise continuously for 30-60 minutes, try shorter bouts of exercise that add up to 30-60 minutes.

Aim for high repetitions (reps) with light weights 2-3 days per week

.

Should you exercise if you have a DVT?

The Importance of Exercise if You Have DVT

Studies show that

exercise also can improve symptoms of DVT, including swelling, discomfort, and redness

. Physical activity can also make you feel more energized. If you have DVT, being active is especially important for your legs.

What should you not do with DVT?


DON’T stand or sit in one spot for a long time

. DON’T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON’T smoke. DON’T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you’re at risk of bleeding from trauma.

Can walking dislodge a DVT?

The authors concluded that

walking exercise was safe in acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and may improve acute symptoms

. Exercise training did not acutely increase leg symptoms of previous DVT and may prevent or improve post-thrombotic syndrome.

How long does it take for a DVT to dissolve?

A DVT or pulmonary embolism can take

weeks or months

to totally dissolve. Even a surface clot, which is a very minor issue, can take weeks to go away. If you have a DVT or pulmonary embolism, you typically get more and more relief as the clot gets smaller.

Can DVT be cured completely?


Most people are fully healed from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within a few weeks or months

. But if you’re recovering from this type of blood clot (which happens in a large vein, most often in your leg), you might be worried about how it will change your life and whether it will happen again.

How do you dissolve a DVT naturally?


There’s no proven way to treat a blood clot at home with natural remedies

. If you try to dissolve a blood clot at home, it may take longer for you to get proper medical treatment. This can increase your risk of developing a potentially life threatening condition.

Is DVT a lifelong condition?

Many people with DVT blood clots will recover completely. But

up to 50% will develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a condition that can cause chronic pain, swelling, and discomfort that can permanently affect your quality of life

.

How long can a blood clot stay in your leg?

Living with DVT

It takes about

3 to 6 months

for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.

How should I sleep with a blood clot in my leg?


Raise your feet when sleeping

To help promote circulation while you’re sleeping, try elevating your legs. You can do this by putting a pillow under your feet or by raising the foot of your bed. It doesn’t have to be a major lift — just a few inches will greatly help your circulation and reduce your risk of blood clots.

Is bed rest required for DVT?


Bed rest has been considered as the cornerstone of management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for a long time, though it is not evidence-base

, and there is growing evidence favoring early ambulation.

How do you know if a blood clot is moving?


The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin. Trouble breathing

. If this happens, it could mean that the clot has moved from your arm or leg to your lungs. You may also get a bad cough, and might even cough up blood.

Will my leg go back to normal after DVT?

Post-Thrombotic Syndrome is when you have the ongoing symptoms of a blood clot, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in the leg.

Some people who have had DVT or blood clots in the leg recover completely, but others still experience symptoms

, and these symptoms are called PTS.

What can you not do while on blood thinners?

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should

try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding

. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities.

Does DVT shorten life expectancy?


Yes, you can die of a deep vein thrombosis

. Death in DVT cases typically occurs when the clot or a piece of it travels to the lung (pulmonary embolism). Most DVTs resolve on their own. If a pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs, the prognosis can be more severe.

Can you get a blood clot while on blood thinners?

Yes. Medications that are commonly called blood thinners — such as aspirin, warfarin (Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa) and heparin —

greatly decrease your risk of blood clotting

. But they don’t prevent blood clots completely.

Can I get rid of DVT on my own?


Usually blood clots go away on their own

and in some cases, they may require treatment but if the situation worsens it may lead to Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT. DVT is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more veins located deep inside your body.

Is being on blood thinners a disability?

Additionally, your illness needs to be disabling for at least 12 months. As noted above,

an isolated blood clot will unlikely cause disability for that long

. However, recurrent blood clots, any clotting disorders, or associated complications may create a disability that lasts at least 12 months.

Is it OK to massage a leg with a blood clot?

Should You Get a Massage if You Have DVT? While there is nothing physically preventing you from going and getting a massage if you have deep vein thrombosis,

it is not advisable

. The small blood clots that cause your deep vein thrombosis could break loose.

Is hot bath good for DVT?

Because most athletes initially conclude they have a strain, they do exactly what is most dangerous – massage or hot-tub therapy. Both are

contra-indicated because they can help dislodge a clot and allow it to travel to the lungs, where it’s known as a pulmonary embolism

.

Is ice or heat better for blood clots?

Treatment Options

It is possible for DVT to resolve itself, but there is a risk of recurrence. To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their leg(s),

use a heating pad

, take walks and wear compression stockings.

Can you live a long life after DVT?

After excluding autopsy-discovered cases, the median duration of follow-up was

7.4 years for deep vein thrombosis

and 6.1 years for pulmonary embolism.

What dissolves blood clots fast?

Anticoagulants. Anticoagulants, such as

heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban

, are medications that thin the blood and help to dissolve blood clots.

Can you wear compression stockings with a blood clot?

If you have had a blood clot in the leg,

your doctor may suggest you wear a compression stocking to reduce swelling

. These stockings are made of special elastic fabric. They may also help reduce your risk of getting postthrombotic syndrome or another blood clot in the leg.

Is heat good for blood clots in legs?

To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their legs,

use a heating pad

, take walks and wear compression stockings.

Can sitting too much cause blood clots?

Answer: Yes.

Prolonged sitting without getting up to move around can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

, the formation of a blood clot in a vein deep in the body. DVT typically affects large veins in the thigh and leg but can present in other parts of the body.

How much should you walk with a DVT?

How should I sit with a DVT?


DO NOT sit so that you put steady pressure on the back of your knee

. Prop up your legs on a stool or chair if your legs swell when you sit.

Can you work with a blood clot in your leg?

If you have a severe blood clot and it’s risky to continue working,

you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you can prove your condition will last at least 12 months

.

Can I lift weights while on blood thinners?

Can heavy lifting cause blood clots?

Thoracic Outlet Obstruction or Effort Thrombosis.

This compression typically gets worse when you lift your arm up. This obstruction, often combined with repeated trauma to your vein (from throwing activities, weight-lifting, or gymnastics maneuvers),

may cause a DVT to form in this area, extending into your arm veins

.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.