Frequently Asked Questions and DVT

Is air travel safe for those with DVT?
Travelers who have had a DVT in the past and are considering travel with prolonged periods of sitting should wear prescription-strength compression stockings and walk every 30 minutes. Additionally, simple calf exercises while sitting helps. If travel is for more than four hours, those individuals may receive a dose of a blood thinner called low-molecular weight heparin to help prevent clots. This is an injection with a needle under the skin.

Does Exercise Help DVT?
Little is known as to how exercise effects a DVT after it has formed. Nevertheless, exercise will help prevent further clotting and may improve other pathways for the blood to travel from the legs back to the heart.

Is there any procedure or medicine that will clear out the DVT scar tissue and restore my veins to their proper functioning?
Much work is being done in this area. There are several devices now that can be used to remove clot. If a clot is removed early (within three days), the veins may retain good function, with the valves remaining intact and able to prevent pooling of blood in the ankles.