Disease: DVT

The Facts on Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism if it's left untreated. Learn more about DVT and what causes dangerous blood clots.

The condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in a deep vein of the body, such as in the legs. And without proper DVT treatment, the blood clot can break off and travel to other parts of the body, including the lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening emergency called pulmonary embolism. So what is the purpose of blood clots in the body, and how do these complications arise?

If your body was unable to form a clot when you bled, you could bleed uncontrollably and, eventually, die from the blood loss.

A blood clot, or thrombus, helps stop the flow of blood when you cut yourself, get blood drawn at the doctor's office, or are recovering from surgery. Usually, these clots dissolve once they’ve done their job. But problems can occur when blood clots form where they shouldn’t, or if they don’t dissolve as they should.

To protect yourself, it's important to know the facts about DVT and how to prevent it. Start by reviewing the answers to the following frequently asked questions about DVT.

Where Can DVT Develop in the Body?

Your veins are the blood vessels that bring blood back to your heart after providing your body with oxygen and nutrients. The most common places for deep vein thrombosis to develop are in the deep veins of the calves and thighs.

What Causes Blood Clots to Develop?

Blood clots in the veins can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Stasis, or slowed or sluggish blood, in the vein. This can happen if you're bedridden or if you're sitting for a long time, such as during lengthy car or plane trips.
  • Injury to a vein, as in a trauma or recent operation.
  • Having a condition that causes blood to quickly and easily clot, called hypercoagulable state. Some diseases, such as cancer, can cause blood to become hypercoagulable. Some medications, such as those containing the hormone estrogen, can also encourage the formation of blood clots.

How Is Deep Vein Thrombosis Connected to Pulmonary Embolism?

This is the most serious, and sometimes fatal, consequence of deep vein thrombosis. A pulmonary embolism occurs when part or all of a DVT clot breaks away and travels to the blood vessels in the lungs, blocking blood flow within the lungs and preventing adequate oxygen delivery to the rest of your body.

What Are the Risk Factors for DVT?

Although anyone can develop deep vein thrombosis, some people are at higher risk than others. These include people who:

  • Have recently had surgery
  • Are immobile due to travel or a physical illness
  • Smoke
  • Are obese
  • Are pregnant
  • Use birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
  • Are over 60 years old
  • Have a family history of clotting disorders
  • Have a chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, or inflammatory bowel disease
  • Become severely dehydrated

Deep Vein Thrombosis: How Common Is It?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, it’s estimated that 300,000 to 600,000 people have deep vein thrombosis every year. Of these, about half will develop a long-term complication called post-thrombotic syndrome, which causes swelling, pain, discoloration, and scaling on the leg (or arm) that had the clot. About one-third of people with DVT will have a recurrence within 10 years.

Between 60,000 and 100,000 of people with DVT die from a pulmonary embolism every year in the United States. Sudden death is the first symptom in about 25 percent of people who have pulmonary embolism, which is why understanding the risks of DVT and seeking treatment right away if it does develop is so important.

What Other Types of Blood Clots Are There?

Two types of blood clots besides those caused by deep vein thrombosis have also been recognized. They are:

  • Superficial thrombophlebitis. This is a blood clot that causes some swelling and irritation in a vein close to the skin. Although it can be uncomfortable, this condition is not usually serious. Superficial thrombophlebitis is often caused by an intravenous line, or IV, inserted into a vein. In addition, the same factors that cause DVT can also cause superficial thrombophlebitis, such as being sedentary for too long.
  • Arterial blood clots. These are clots that form in the arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The clots can cut off blood flow to these areas, causing stroke, heart attack, and severe leg pain.

Is Deep Vein Thrombosis Related to Heart Disease?

Deep vein thrombosis and heart disease share a few common risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, and older age. In addition, a history of heart attack and/or heart failure decreases the brisk flow of blood, which increases the risk of pooling and DVT. The presence of a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator also increases the risk of DVT.

As you learn more about DVT, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself — or get the treatment you need should you develop DVT. The best way to avoid complications of DVT is to prevent it in the first place, which you can do by staying physically active throughout the day and taking extra precautions when you won’t be able to move around much, such as when you’re traveling or if you have surgery.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com

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