Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Blood Clot

Being diagnosed with a blood clot can bring a wave of questions and concerns. “What exactly is a blood clot? Why did this happen to me? Will I fully recover? Will my life go back to normal?” These are all valid and important questions you deserve answers to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about what to Ask Doctor after a blood clot diagnosis, the following questions can serve as a helpful guide. Feel free to use this list while you are in the hospital, or print it and bring it to your follow-up appointments.

Select the questions from the list that resonate most with you and discuss them with your healthcare team. This team might include an Emergency Room Physician, an Interventional Radiologist, your Primary Care Provider, a Hematologist, a Pulmonologist, a Cardiologist, or a Vein Specialist. If your current doctor can’t answer all your questions, they should help you find someone who can. Remember, you are your strongest advocate for your health. If you feel unheard, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion and find a doctor who makes you feel comfortable and properly addresses your concerns when you ask doctor.

Understanding Blood Clots

What is a blood clot exactly? It’s important to ask doctor for a clear explanation in simple terms.
What was the underlying cause of my blood clot? Specifically, ask doctor “Why did I develop a blood clot?”.
Considering the cause, what is my risk of experiencing another blood clot in the future? Ask doctor about recurrence probabilities.
What steps can I take to minimize the chance of a blood clot happening again? Prevention is key, so ask doctor for preventative measures.
How severe is the damage caused by my blood clot event (PE/DVT)? Ask doctor to assess the extent of the impact.
Has there been any damage to my veins and circulatory system? Ask doctor about vascular damage.
Were any of my organs affected, such as my heart or lungs? If so, what further treatment is needed to address this damage? Organ damage is serious, so ask doctor about potential complications.
Who should be part of my medical team moving forward? Can I get referrals to specialists? And how often will I need to see them? For comprehensive care, ask doctor about specialist referrals.
Am I a candidate for testing for genetic and autoimmune clotting conditions? Do I need to stop taking anticoagulants for all tests, or only specific ones? Should any of my family members also be tested? Genetic predisposition is important, so ask doctor about genetic testing for clotting disorders.
Why are so many blood tests necessary? What specific things are they monitoring? Understanding testing rationale is crucial, so ask doctor about the purpose of blood tests.
What’s the distinction between provoked and unprovoked blood clots, and how does this difference affect my treatment options? Understanding clot type impacts treatment, so ask doctor about provoked vs. unprovoked clots.

Pulmonary Embolism Specific Questions

Can I review the scans of my lungs that were taken? Will you walk me through these images? Visualizing the PE can be helpful, so ask doctor to explain lung scans.
Do I have any lung infarct or scarring? Can you explain what these are? Lung damage concerns are valid, so ask doctor about lung infarct and scarring.
Is lung scarring permanent, or can it heal over time? Scarring reversibility is a common concern, so ask doctor about the prognosis of lung scarring.
Will I be given a lung function test? What does this test involve? Lung function assessment is important, so ask doctor about lung function tests.
What are effective ways to strengthen my lungs after a PE? Lung rehabilitation is crucial, so ask doctor for lung strengthening advice.
Will I experience ongoing shortness of breath? If so, how long might it last? Persistent symptoms are concerning, so ask doctor about the duration of shortness of breath.
Will I continue to have lung pain? Pain management is important, so ask doctor about the expected duration of lung pain.
Should I get a pulse oximeter (SpO2 sensor) for my finger? How do these compare to fitness watches that measure SpO2? Monitoring oxygen levels is important, so ask doctor about pulse oximeters.
What oxygen saturation levels should I be aiming for? At what point should I seek emergency medical attention based on my oxygen levels? Knowing when to seek help is vital, so ask doctor about concerning oxygen levels.
Is coughing up blood normal after a PE? How long might this symptom last? Coughing blood can be alarming, so ask doctor about hemoptysis after a PE.
Should I be worried about my heart? Do I need to see a cardiologist? Heart health after a PE is a concern, so ask doctor about cardiology referral.
Can the blood clot in my lung move to other parts of my lung or elsewhere in my body? Clot migration is a serious concern, so ask doctor about clot movement.
Will weather conditions like heat, humidity, or cold affect my lungs after a blood clot? Environmental factors can impact breathing, so ask doctor about weather effects on lungs.
Will being at high altitudes cause any problems after my blood clot? Altitude can exacerbate respiratory issues, so ask doctor about altitude concerns.
Will I need another scan to check if the blood clot in my lung has resolved? Monitoring clot resolution is important, so ask doctor about follow-up scans.
How long does it typically take for a blood clot to dissolve? Understanding the timeline for clot resolution is helpful, so ask doctor about clot dissolution time.
What is the process by which a blood clot dissolves in the body? Knowing the mechanism of clot breakdown can be reassuring, so ask doctor about clot dissolving process.
What are the potential consequences if my blood clot does not dissolve? Understanding worst-case scenarios is important, so ask doctor about undissolved clots.
Do I need to use an inhaler? Inhalers can aid breathing, so ask doctor about the necessity of an inhaler.
What is “balloon therapy” in the context of pulmonary embolism? Understanding treatment options is crucial, so ask doctor about balloon therapy.

Anticoagulants / Blood Thinners

Anticoagulants and blood thinners – are these terms interchangeable? What’s the correct terminology to use? Clarifying terminology is helpful, so ask doctor about anticoagulant vs. blood thinner terms.
Can you explain how a “blood thinner” medication works? Does it actually thin my blood? Understanding medication action is crucial, so ask doctor about how blood thinners work.
Which anticoagulant is most suitable for me, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? Personalized medication choices are important, so ask doctor about the best anticoagulant for you.
What is the most effective way to take my prescribed medication? Optimal medication administration is key, so ask doctor about the best way to take medication.
What should I do if I accidentally miss a dose of my anticoagulant? Missed dose management is important, so ask doctor about protocols for missed doses.
If I’m struggling to afford my blood thinner medication, what resources or assistance programs are available? Medication affordability is a real concern, so ask doctor about financial assistance.
Will I need to have regular blood tests while taking this anticoagulant? Monitoring is often required, so ask doctor about blood test frequency.
What would happen if I develop another blood clot while already taking an anticoagulant? What would the next steps be? Re-clotting on medication is a serious concern, so ask doctor about re-clotting protocols.
Could you please tell me about Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACS)? Are they an option for me? Exploring medication options is important, so ask doctor about DOACs.
Do I need to make any changes to my diet while on this medication? Dietary interactions are possible, so ask doctor about dietary adjustments.
I’ve heard about needing to be cautious with foods high in vitamin K. What do I need to know about this? Vitamin K and Warfarin interaction is well-known, so ask doctor about vitamin K and diet.
What is an INR? Understanding INR is crucial for Warfarin users, so ask doctor to explain INR.
Can you provide information about home monitoring for Warfarin? Home monitoring can be convenient, so ask doctor about home INR testing.
What is the biggest potential risk associated with taking anticoagulants? Understanding risks is essential, so ask doctor about the major risks of anticoagulants.
Are there any common side effects of anticoagulants? Side effect awareness is important, so ask doctor about potential side effects.
Do anticoagulants make you more susceptible to sunburn? If so, what’s the reason behind this? Sun sensitivity is a potential side effect, so ask doctor about sunburn risk.
Can anticoagulants make you feel colder than usual? If yes, what’s the underlying cause? Temperature sensitivity can occur, so ask doctor about feeling cold on anticoagulants.
Is hair loss a possible side effect of anticoagulants? If so, why does this happen? Hair loss is a distressing side effect, so ask doctor about anticoagulant-related hair loss.
What are the warning signs of “hidden” bleeding that I should be aware of? Recognizing bleeding signs is crucial, so ask doctor about signs of hidden bleeding.
Should I wear a medical alert ID bracelet indicating that I am on anticoagulants? Medical identification is important in emergencies, so ask doctor about medical ID bracelets.
Will my anticoagulant interact with any other medications I am currently taking? Drug interactions are a concern, so ask doctor about potential drug interactions.
How beneficial is it to wear a Medical ID Bracelet in my situation? Reinforcing the importance of medical ID, ask doctor again about its benefits.
How safe are herbal medicines? Can I replace my prescribed anticoagulants with natural alternatives like Nattokinase? Herbal medicine safety and efficacy are questionable, so ask doctor about herbal medicine interactions and replacements.

Recovery and Aftercare

How long is the typical recovery period after a blood clot event? Setting realistic expectations is important, so ask doctor about the expected recovery timeline.
What range of emotional and physical sensations should I expect in the coming weeks and months of recovery? Preparing for recovery phases is helpful, so ask doctor about the recovery experience.
Should I consider seeing a counselor to help manage potential PTSD symptoms? What about anti-anxiety medication? Mental health support is crucial, so ask doctor about counseling and anxiety medication.
Is it better to use a heating pad or ice for pain related to the blood clot? Pain management strategies are important, so ask doctor about heat vs. ice for pain relief.
Do I need to wear compression stockings? If so, for how long? Compression stockings are often recommended, so ask doctor about the necessity and duration of compression stockings.
How soon will it be safe for me to travel? Are there any specific precautions I need to take while traveling? Travel safety is a concern, so ask doctor about travel guidelines and precautions.
Should I elevate my legs when I sleep? Leg elevation can aid circulation, so ask doctor about leg elevation recommendations.
Will I need to have a follow-up scan to monitor the status of the blood clot? If so, when? Follow-up monitoring is common, so ask doctor about follow-up scans.
Is there any risk associated with having too many scans or excessive radiation exposure? Scan safety is a valid concern, so ask doctor about risks of multiple scans.
What types of over-the-counter pain relievers are safe for me to take? What is generally safe for pain management? Safe pain relief options are important, so ask doctor about OTC pain medication.

Lifestyle Adjustments

What information should I share with my employer about my condition? When will I be able to return to work? Workplace communication and return-to-work plans are important, so ask doctor about work-related advice.
Is it safe for me to drive, take long road trips for work, or fly on a plane? What are the specific guidelines for travel? Travel restrictions and safety are concerns, so ask doctor about travel safety for different modes of transport.
How will having a blood clot impact my daily life at home and at work? Lifestyle impact assessment is important, so ask doctor about the overall impact on life.
Will this blood clot diagnosis affect my sex life? Intimacy is a part of life, so ask doctor about impact on sexual activity.
Do I need to change my birth control method? What are my options for contraception now? Birth control and blood clots are linked, so ask doctor about birth control adjustments.
I am planning to start a family. What do I need to know about pregnancy and childbirth in relation to my blood clot history? Pregnancy planning requires careful consideration, so ask doctor about pregnancy and childbirth risks.
Will this affect my menstrual periods? Will anticoagulants make my periods heavier? Menstrual changes are possible, so ask doctor about impact on periods.
Is there anything that can be done to manage heavy periods? Should my iron levels be checked due to potential blood loss? Heavy periods need management, so ask doctor about heavy period management and iron levels.
When can I start exercising again? How frequently and intensely can I exercise? Exercise resumption is important for recovery, so ask doctor about exercise guidelines.
Is it safe for me to ride a bike while wearing a helmet? Specific activities need clearance, so ask doctor about cycling safety.
Can I go on rollercoasters and other amusement park rides? Amusement park rides and physical stress need consideration, so ask doctor about amusement park ride safety.
Is it safe for me to get a massage? Massage safety needs clarification, so ask doctor about massage therapy.
Can I get a tattoo? Tattooing and bleeding risk need consideration, so ask doctor about tattoo safety.
Is it safe for me to use a hot tub, sauna, or steam room? Heat exposure and circulation can be affected, so ask doctor about hot tub/sauna/steam room safety.
Can I see a chiropractor? Chiropractic care safety needs to be assessed, so ask doctor about chiropractic treatment.
Do I need to make any significant lifestyle changes concerning smoking, diet, exercise, etc.? Overall lifestyle adjustments may be needed, so ask doctor about necessary lifestyle changes.
Is it okay for me to have a glass of wine or consume other alcoholic beverages while on this anticoagulant? Alcohol and medication interactions are possible, so ask doctor about alcohol consumption.