[4] The risk of developing blood clots can be lowered by lifestyle modifications, the discontinuation of oral contraceptives, and weight loss.

[7] Thrombosis prophylaxis is effective in preventing the formation of blood clots, their lodging in the veins, and their developing into thromboemboli that can travel through the circulatory system to cause blockage and subsequent tissue death in other organs.

On average 28,726 hospitalized adults aged 18 and older with a VTE blood clot diagnosis die each year.

[4] In 2005 the UK the Parliamentary Health Select Committee determined the annual rate of death due to thrombosis was 25,000 with at least 50% being hospital-acquired.

It has been inconsistently modified by several publishers with the results listed below:[29] Scoring: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued general guidelines describing the interventions that can be taken to reduce the risk of the formation of blood clots: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following: Seat-edge pressure from the seat on an airplane on the popliteal area may contribute to vessel wall damage as well as venous stasis.

Coagulation activation may result from an interaction between cabin conditions (such as hypobaric hypoxia) and individual risk factors for the formation of blood clots.

Studies of the pathophysiologic mechanisms for the increased risk of venous thromboembolism or VTE after long-distance travel have not produced consistent results, but venous stasis appears to play a major role; other factors specific to air travel may increase coagulation activation, particularly in passengers with individual risk factors for VTE.

[32][20][5] These devices are also placed on a surgical patient in the operating room (the intra-surgical period) and remain on the person while recovering from the surgery.

[34] Differences between the use of thigh-high compression stockings and shorter types to prevent blood clots exist, but remain inconsistent.

Hospitals that have participated in this effort to reduce the incidence of thrombosis found that rates of DVT decreased in some instances.

These orders, typically delegated to a nurse, but may include the participation of a physical therapist and others trained to perform the intervention, are to perform range of motion (ROM) activities that include: muscle contractions of the lower legs for those who are very weak, moving the feet, wiggling the toes, bending the knees, raise and lower the legs.

Nursing personnel will often perform a range of motion exercises and encourage frequent moving of the legs, feet, and ankles.

[39][23][26] Early ambulation also prevents venous stasis and physicians order OOB activities on the same day of surgery.

[citation needed] Thromboprophylaxis, such as anticoagulants or perioperative heparin, is effective for hospitalized patients at risk for VTE.

[2][40] Additional risk factors such as obesity, disease, malignancies, long surgeries, and immobility may influence the prescribed dosage.

Despite its effectiveness, the use of thromboprophylaxis remains under-utilized, though alerts (computer or human) in hospitals are associated with increased prescription and reductions in symptomatic VTE.

Dong quai, garlic, ginger, Ginkgo biloba, bilberry, and feverfew can increase bleeding time.

[25] By containing significant content of vitamin K, some foods act as antagonists to antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications; these include green leafy vegetables, like spinach, legumes, and broccoli.

This includes adequate assessment of the risks, follow-up on missed doses of medication, and instituting a 'patient-centered' approach endorsed by the Joint Commission.

These include the evaluation of the thrombin–antithrombin complexes (TAT), low levels of the anticoagulants ATIII and protein C, but these tests are not yet widely available.