• Patient
    Questions

    Common questions from patients diagnosed with VTE, arranged by relevant time points in the patient journey and further categorized by topic. This 'patient perspective' can help guide your conversations with patients, addressing their needs and concerns effectively.

    Diagnostic Encounter

    • What is a blood clot?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • What caused my blood clot? (i.e., why did this happen to me?)
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Do I need to monitor my oxygen levels regularly after having a PE?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to cough up blood after a PE and if so, how long will it last?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to feel pain on either side of my chest after a PE, or in my legs after a DVT?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to feel anxious about my blood clot?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to feel depressed about my blood clot?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • After I'm discharged, how can I tell the difference between symptoms that are normal and symptoms that require medical attention?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Will the blood clot(s) in my lung travel anywhere else, like my brain?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • What is heparin? Why is it not available in an oral form?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What is an anticoagulant?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Why are you prescribing this medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • How should I take this medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What should I do if I miss a dose?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What are the key side effects of the medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What do I need to know if I'm taking other medications in addition to my blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Do I need to change my diet on this medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Lifestyle
    • What should I do if I cannot afford my medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Insurance
    • When can I go back to work and return to usual activity?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • What type of exercise/physical activity can I do while on a blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • What pain relievers can I use if I'm taking a blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education

    Therapeutic Encounter

    • How would I know if I'm bleeding internally?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • How can I tell the difference between minor (nuisance) bleeding and serious bleeding that requires medical attention?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Do I need to stop taking my birth control pill after having a blood clot?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • Will this medication affect my periods or menstrual cycle?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • What should I do about heavy menstrual bleeding while on this medication?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • How soon should I return for follow-up and what should I expect?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • Who should I see when I follow up?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • What signs or symptoms should prompt me to call my doctor?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • What signs or symptoms should prompt a return visit to the doctor?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • Do I need to wear compression stockings?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • Where can I find out more about blood clots?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Disease state awareness

    1 Week

    • Is it normal to still be anxious about my clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Mental health
    • How can I cope with/manage my anxiety?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Mental health
    • Where can I find support?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Mental health
    • What resources can I access to learn more about my condition and recovery?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Why am I still having symptoms and when will they go away?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Why did I need heart imaging or a leg procedure if my clot is in my lungs?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • What does the term "lung infarct" mean?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • What is right heart strain?
      •
      Diagnosis
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Did my blood clot cause damage to my body, and is the damage long-term?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Will my clot dissolve on its own? How long will that take?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is my lung tissue scarred from my clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Will changes in altitude affect my lungs after a blood clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Will my lung function or capacity be affected or compromised long term after my clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • When will my shortness of breath go away?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • When will my lung/chest pain go away?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • When will my leg swelling subside?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • How long will it take for me to recover?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Are my symptoms improving at an appropriate rate?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to feel very tired for days/weeks/months after a blood clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • When will I feel like myself again?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to have pain come and go after a blood clot?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal for my breathing to get worse or to become breathless?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Is it normal to keep finding exercise difficult?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • How can I safely travel?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • Is it safe to have sex?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • Can I ride a bike?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • Can I ski?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • Can I engage in contact sports (MMA, boxing, etc.)?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • When can I be treated by a chiropractor or masseuse?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle

    1 Month

    • Can I get dental treatment?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Can I get acupuncture?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Do I need to change my diet?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • Can I drink alcohol if I'm taking a blood thinner?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Lifestyle
    • I'm scared my clot will return. How likely is that?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Mental health
    • Are there any surgeries/procedures I can do to make me feel better faster?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Why is my medication also called a "blood thinner"? Does it really thin the blood?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Which blood thinner is right for me?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Why might my blood thinner be changed?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • How will I know the medication is working?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • How long do I need to be on this medication for?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Who will refill this medication for me?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Treatment relationship
      •
      Follow-up
    • Are there any natural alternatives to blood thinners?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • How will I know if I'm bleeding internally?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What should I do about nuisance/minor bleeding (bloody gums, nosebleeds, etc.)?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What can I do to prevent another blood clot from occuring?
      •
      Recovery
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What should I do if I fall?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Do I need to wear a medical alert bracelet if I take a blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What's an INR?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • What happens if I need emergency surgery while on my blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Periprocedural guidance
    • Should I stop my blood thinners for a dental cleaning?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Periprocedural guidance
    • Should I stop my blood thinners for eye surgery?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Periprocedural guidance
    • Are my kids at risk for blood clots?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Do I need genetic testing?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Do I have cancer?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Do I need enhanced screening for cancer?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Do I have an underlying disease?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Does COVID cause blood clots?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Does the COVID vaccine cause blood clots?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Do vaccines in general cause blood clots?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Education Risk factors
    • Can I take oral contraception if I had a blood clot?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • What birth control methods are safe?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • Should my iron levels be routinely checked if I'm on a blood thinner?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • What should I know if I want to get pregnant?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • What should I do if I become pregnant?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • Can I start/continue hormone therapy?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health

    3 Months

    • Do I need follow-up labs?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Do I need follow-up imaging?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • Am I better now?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • If I stop vs. continue treatment, what is my risk of recurrence?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Should I stop taking my blood thinner?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Can I stop anticoagulation and take only an aspirin?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Are there any herbs/supplements that I can take to reduce recurrence risk?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
    • Can I get cosmetic procedures/surgeries?
      •
      Treatment
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Periprocedural guidance
    • What happens if I have a blood clot while I'm pregnant?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • Will a blood clot cause me to have a miscarriage, or will it affect the fetus?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • Can I breastfeed if I am on blood thinners?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Anticoagulant education
      •
      Women's health

    Future (> 3 Months)

    • What should I do if I have symptoms in the future?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
    • What should I do if I become pregnant in the future?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Women's health
    • What should I do if I need surgery in the future?
      •
      Follow-up
      •
      Disease state awareness
      •
      Periprocedural guidance

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