Doctors and researchers believe this is because the lack of sleep may disrupt the parts of the brain which control the circulatory system or cause inflammation that makes the development of a blood clot more likely.
It can lead to poor circulation which heightens the risk for more conditions like cardiovascular diseases, stroke, or inflammation. What's more, sleep loss affects our endothelium – a thin layer of single cells the interior surface of blood and lymphatic vessels.
Sleeping on your left side to make it easier for blood to flow in and around your heart. Keeping your arms at your sides instead of under or behind your head. Making sure your pillow supports your neck and spine and keeps them neutrally aligned.
For years, if you had a DVT, your doctor would order bed rest. This was thought to lower the risk of a clot traveling through your bloodstream to your lungs. But recent research suggests that bed rest doesn't help people with DVT and that it may be fine for you to get up and move around.
Situations that can lead to a clot run from the commonplace — like prolonged bed rest after surgery and long airplane flights — to the less-common, like pregnancy and genetic blood clot disorders. If you have obesity, or are a smoker, your risk of DVT increases.
Most information about blood clots and long-distance travel comes from information that has been gathered about air travel. However, anyone traveling more than four hours, whether by air, car, bus, or train, can be at risk for blood clots.
Blood clots can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors, such as surgery, hospitalization, pregnancy, cancer and some types of cancer treatments can increase risks.
Thrombolytics. Thrombolytics are drugs that dissolve blood clots. A doctor may give a thrombolytic intravenously, or they may use a catheter in the vein, which will allow them to deliver the drug directly to the site of the clot.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration contributes to the development of sluggish blood flow and blood clots. NYU Langone doctors advise drinking 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water each day for optimal blood flow. It's especially important to do this when your mobility is limited for long periods, such as while traveling.
However, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can help prevent blood clots from forming in the first place. Certain beverages like green tea, grape juice, and cranberry juice contain antioxidants and other compounds that may help improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of blood clots.
If you are currently being treated for DVT, do not massage your legs. Massage could cause the clot to break loose. If you are scheduled for surgery, ask your surgeon what you can do to help prevent blood clots after surgery. Stop smoking.
The authors opine: “Not only can [massage] dislodge an already established blood clot, but, as in this case, it can also predispose an individual to venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism. … there is likely underreporting.”
Clots can form in any vein and, whilst massage should definitely be avoided around the affected area, it should also be avoided in general until a Doctor advises otherwise. Massage stimulates blood circulation, therefore can dislodge a clot, even if the point of massage is elsewhere on the body.
The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke.
Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Sleep deficiency is also linked to a higher chance of injury in adults, teens, and children.
Inflammation can come from increased cortisol—a stress hormone—that changes when you're sleep-deprived. The inflammation raises your risk for arterial hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Meager sleep also increases heart rate and blood pressure, putting you at even higher risk for stroke.
Although many people think walking around prevents blood clots, this is not true. Moving around and walking are important to keep you well and can help prevent things like pneumonia and bedsores. Walking by itself does not prevent clots.
Increase your intake of other foods and drinks that may help dissolve blood clots such as garlic, kiwi, kale, spinach, red wine, and grape juice. Drink more water. Increase your exercise.
Typically, your body will naturally dissolve the blood clot after the injury has healed. Sometimes, however, clots form on the inside of vessels without an obvious injury or do not dissolve naturally. These situations can be dangerous and require accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Clotting is a necessary process that can prevent you from losing too much blood in certain instances, such as when you're injured or cut. Blood clots usually dissolve on their own.
Vitamin E is a natural blood thinner because of its anticoagulant effects. Studies support that vitamin E has anti-clotting activity and works as a potent blood thinner. Supplementing with vitamin E and consuming vitamin E foods can help prevent diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Anyone can develop DVT, but it becomes more common over the age of 40. As well as age, there are also some other risk factors, including: having a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism. having a family history of blood clots.
Effect of Stress on Blood Vessels
Research has shown that extended periods of anxiety can increase coagulation, which decreases the normal circulation of blood through the body and raises the risk of developing blot clots.