DVT Prevention: How to Stop Blood Clots Before They Start

When you hear deep vein thrombosis, a dangerous blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Also known as DVT, it can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Most people don’t think about it until they’re told they have it—often after surgery, long flights, or bed rest. But the good news? DVT prevention isn’t complicated. It’s about movement, awareness, and knowing which meds help or hurt.

One of the biggest risks comes from being still. If you’ve had surgery, are recovering from an injury, or sit for hours on a plane, your blood slows down—and that’s when clots form. Moving your legs, even just flexing your feet or walking around the cabin, cuts your risk dramatically. For people on bed rest, doctors often prescribe anticoagulants, medications that thin the blood to stop clots from forming like warfarin or rivaroxaban. But these aren’t for everyone. If you’re taking them, you need to know how they interact with other drugs—like Ginkgo Biloba, an herbal supplement that can increase bleeding risk when mixed with blood thinners—or even common painkillers like ibuprofen, which can strain your kidneys if you’re already at risk.

It’s not just about pills and movement. Your diet, hydration, and even your socks matter. Compression stockings help push blood back up your legs. Drinking enough water keeps your blood from thickening. And if you’re over 60, overweight, or have a family history of clots, you’re in a higher-risk group—so prevention isn’t optional. The posts below cover exactly what works: how to time your meds to avoid dangerous interactions, what to do when traveling, how to spot early warning signs, and which supplements might actually help—or hurt—your risk. You won’t find fluff here. Just straight facts from real cases, real studies, and real people who learned the hard way.