Are You at Risk for Life-Threatening Deep Vein Blood Clots?

admin - March 4, 2011

Every year, more people die from preventable blood clots than from breast cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents combined. The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) is taking the month of March to bring attention to these deadly clots, also known as deep vein thrombosis.

DVT Is caused when a blood clot forms in the body’s deep veins, usually within the pelvis or leg. These clots can either break off and get lodged in the lung arteries (an event known as pulmonary embolism) or cause permanent damage to the blood vessels. DVT kills between 100,000 and 180,000 deaths per year and makes life miserable for thousands of others.

People who are at a higher risk DVT include those who:

• Are pregnant or have delivered a baby within the last two months
• Have been hospitalized for an illness
• Have undergone surgery
• Smoke
• Are on extended bed rest
• Sit for longer than six to eight hours at a time
• Have cancer or are undergoing cancer treatments
• Have a family or personal history of DVT

Symptoms of DVT include:

• Unexplained pain in one leg
• Change in skin color or temperature
• Recent swelling in one leg

Read the VDF press release or visit the foundation online to take the free assessment quiz and learn more about DVT.

Comments

1. Dolores Nickles - March 7, 2011 at 10:05 am

   I had a DVT in my left calf leg when I was 38 years old. No pain at that time in leg , just my leg, feet were so swollen, tight. Did not realize anything was wrong until pants were removed and my leg and foot were huge, red , hard. Hospitalized. Placed on coumadin for several yrs. Since then I have had (RCA) stent heart, my left carotid artery neck 90 plus. Had surgery or was going to have a stroke for sure. Strokes are genetic on mothers family and know high hypertension, cholesterol fathers side and thats all I know of that side of family. I have hypertension, high cholesterol. Is Fish Oil vitamins as good as I have heard for these problems? Would like some more information to live a little longer. I am 57 years old now and feeling alot older. Any suggestions???

2. Joelle Reizes - March 10, 2011 at 4:26 pm

   Dear Dolores, Your condition does sound very complex and I am sure you must be very worried. If you are not happy with your care or want a second opinion, I would suggest a major academic center’s second opinion program. The Cleveland Clinic, the number one vascular program in the world is a good place to start. You can learn about their program here: http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/myConsultHome. Food supplements such as fish oil is only a part of a total program. Good luck! I hope this information is helpful.

3. Sharon Fortine - March 16, 2011 at 10:10 pm

   I am wanting to know as much as I can about this possible condition.

4. Debbie Mc Brde - March 17, 2011 at 5:51 am

   My right leg has been hurting bad for the last week. The pain is in my calf and stretches all the way up to my butt and also down my leg to my foot. I cannot hardly lift my leg to step over things and I have to hold on to something just to get up out of a chair. I have no insurance. I lost my job two years and lost all medical, dental, and vision. My EDD benefits are all gone and my next step is me and my cats living out of my car. Can anyone help me?

5. Joelle Reizes - March 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm

   Please visit http://www.vdf.org to learn more about vein disease. The Vascular Disease Foundation is a great resource.

6. Joelle Reizes - March 17, 2011 at 3:08 pm

   Debbie: I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I do not know where you live but you may need to go to an emergency room to get care, particularly if this pain is worsening. There are many possible causes. You really should have this evaluated by a doctor. I urge you to seek care at the hospital near you. We wish you the best of luck.

7. Pat Siler - March 17, 2011 at 8:38 pm

   I recently Dec. 2010 , had a face lift. Some swelling has come and gone. There is still some swelling but it seems to be in different locations at different times. There seem to be some small bumps under the skin. Some numbness varies in location also. I asked my dr. in January, and she tells me there is no danger of blood clots in this area on me face. I trust her a lot, but I still wonder since it has been so long. Should I be concerned?

7 Responses to “Are You at Risk for Life-Threatening Deep Vein Blood Clots?”