How to Stay Healthy After Pulmonary Embolism Surgery
Pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of one of the major arteries in one of your lungs. This article discusses some of the ways through which you can protect your health after undergoing surgery to remove the clot blocking an artery in your lung.
Stay Active
One of the best ways to stay healthy after pulmonary embolism surgery is to keep active by doing exercises regularly. It is also important for you to stretch your legs or walk after each hour during a long car or plane trip. This physical activity will promote proper blood circulation throughout your body so that clot formation is minimised.
Take Anticoagulants
People who have had pulmonary embolism stand a higher risk of clots developing again. Consequently, doctors may prescribe anticoagulants (blood thinners) to prevent this risk from happening again. Take that medication as instructed. It is also advisable for you to talk to your doctor when you expect conditions that can require a change in your prescription. For example, seek advice about any possible changes in your anticoagulant medication in case you require bed rest for a different condition. The doctor may increase the dosage in order to deal with the increased risk of clot formation during that bed rest.
Watch Your Weight
It is advisable for you to maintain an optimum body weight in order to prevent blood clots from forming in your vessels. Excessive weight can increase your risk of developing blot clots in several ways. For example, that weight can make it harder for you to maintain an active lifestyle due to the difficulties that you may feel each time you try to walk or engage in physical exercise. Secondly, excessive weight strains your heart. It may therefore become harder for blood to be pumped to all parts of your body effectively in case you are overweight. Clots can then form in the areas where blood is flowing sluggishly.
Increase Fluid Intake
Another way to stay healthy after undergoing surgery to treat pulmonary embolism involves increasing the volume of fluids, such as fresh juices and water, which you take. Such fluids will keep your blood at an ideal concentration so that clots cannot easily form. Avoid alcohol or too much caffeine since these substances can dehydrate your body and increase the likelihood of clot formation.
As you can see from the discussion above, your lifestyle choices can have a big influence on the possibility of a recurrence of pulmonary embolism after you have had surgery. It is therefore advisable for you to adhere to everything that your vascular surgeon recommends so that you avoid a recurrence of this potentially life-threatening condition.