Who Is Likely to Get DVT? ( courtecy;- medicine net )
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A painful, swollen leg may be one
sign of a dangerous clot. Learn who is at a higher risk of getting DVT and
see prevention
Tips
What Is DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms inside a vein,
usually deep within your leg. About half a million Americans every year get
one, and up to 100,000 die because of it. The danger is that part of the clot
can break off and travel through your bloodstream. It could get stuck in your
lungs and block blood flow, causing organ damage or death.
Symptoms
Notice how the leg on
the left here is swollen below the knee. That's a common symptom of DVT. So
are redness and tenderness or pain in the area of the clot. But you won't
always have these. Unfortunately, about half of people with DVT get no
warning signsPulmonary Embolism
This is a clot that
moves into your lungs and blocks the blood supply. It can cause trouble
breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and
coughing up blood. If you have any of these, call 911 and get medical care
right away. What Causes DVT?
Anything that damages the inner lining of a
vein may cause DVT -- surgery, an injury, or your immune system. If your
blood is thick or flows slowly, it's more likely to form a clot, especially
in a vein that's already damaged. People who have certain genetic disorders
or more estrogen in their system are more at risk for blood clots, too
Who Is Likely to Get DVT?
Some people with a higher risk are those who:
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Have
cancer
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Have
had surgery
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Are
on extended bed rest
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Are
older
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Smoke
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Are
overweight or obese
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Sit
for long times, like on a long airplane flight
Pregnancy
Women are more likely to develop DVT during
pregnancy and the 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. That's when they have
higher levels of estrogen, which may make blood clot more easily. The
pressure of their expanding uterus can slow blood flow in the veins as well.
Certain blood disorders can boost their risk even more.
Hormone
Therapy
Like pregnancy, birth control pills and
some treatments for postmenopausal symptoms raise the amount of estrogen in a
woman's blood. That can increase her risk of DVT, even if she doesn't have a
blood disorder.
Trapped
in Your Seat
Traveling to new and faraway places can be
exciting! Squishing into a coach seat for a long international flight is not.
Studies show long-distance travel, a trip that lasts more than 4 hours,
doubles the risk of developing DVT. It doesn't matter if you go by air, bus,
train, or car. When you're in a cramped seat and don't move around, your
blood flow slows.
Get a
Diagnosis
Your doctor will check you for signs of
DVT. He may also ask about your medical history, medications you're taking,
medical problems of close relatives, and things that put you at risk. An
ultrasound is the most common way to confirm a diagnosis. It uses sound waves
to "see" the blood flow and reveal a clot. You might also need
other tests, such as a blood test called a d-dimer.
Blood Thinners
Drugs called anticoagulants are the most common way to treat
DVT. Although they're known as blood thinners, they don't really thin your
blood. They make it less "sticky" to prevent new blood clots from
forming. They can't break up a clot you already have, but they will give your
body time to dissolve it on its own. You take these medications in a pill or
by needle.
Blood Thinners
Drugs called
anticoagulants are the most common way to treat DVT. Although they're known
as blood thinners, they don't really thin your blood. They make it less
"sticky" to prevent new blood clots from forming. They can't break
up a clot you already have, but they will give your body time to dissolve it
on its own. You take these medications in a pill or by needle.
Side Effects of Blood
Thinners
People who take these
may get bruises often or bleed more easily. When you take certain ones,
you'll need to watch what you eat. And you'll need to go to a lab regularly
to get your blood checked to make sure you've got the right amount of the
drug in your body. You don't have to do that for newer medications, but they
make it harder to stop bleeding if you have an accident.
Let your doctor know
if you bleed a lot from minor injuries.
Internal Bleeding
Blood
thinners can also make it easier to bleed inside your body, where you can't
see it. Bleeding in your belly can cause pain, vomit that's red or looks like
coffee grounds, and bright red or black stools. Bleeding in your brain can
cause severe headaches, vision changes, unnatural movements, and confusion.
Call 911 and go to the emergency room if you notice any of these symptoms.
Vena Cava Filter
If you can't
take blood thinners or they aren't working, your doctor may recommend putting
a filter into your biggest vein, called the vena cava. This filter catches
breakaway clots and stops them from getting into your lungs and heart. It
won't stop new clots from forming or cure DVT, but it can help prevent a
dangerous pulmonary embolism.
Clot Busters
Medications
that dissolve blood clots are called thrombolytics. They can cause sudden,
severe bleeding, so doctors use them only in emergencies -- to dissolve a
life-threatening blood clot in your lung, for example. You get thrombolytics
by IV in a hospital.
Compression Stockings
These special
socks put gentle pressure on your legs to keep your blood moving. They can
help prevent clots from forming as well as reduce swelling and relieve
discomfort in a leg where a clot has already formed. You can get compression
stockings over the counter, but your doctor will need to write a prescription
for ones with more pressure. Wear them even at home.
Keep Your Feet Up
When you can,
sit with your feet resting off the floor to raise your legs. You'll make it
easier for the blood in your veins to flow up toward your heart. This can
lessen the swelling and discomfort in the leg with DVT.
Long-Term Effects
Once a blood
clot is gone, DVT sometimes leaves behind an unpleasant reminder. You may see
long-term swelling or changes in skin color where the clot was. Or it could
hurt. These symptoms, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, sometimes show up as
much as a year after the clot.
Exercise
Use your
muscles to promote blood flow. Work your lower leg muscles especially. When
you're not active -- at your desk, for example -- take breaks to stretch your
legs. Stand up. Step away for a bit. Regular exercise also helps keep you at
a healthy weight, and that lowers your risk, too.
Travel Tips
When you
travel for more than 4 hours, avoid tight clothing and drink plenty of water.
Get up and walk around at least every couple of hours. If you have to stay in
your seat, stretch and move your legs. Try clenching and releasing your
calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your heels with your toes on the
floor. Do plenty of sightseeing by foot once you arrive!
Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on Thursday, July 02, 2015
DVT in Pictures:
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis, Beyond Leg Pain and More
This tool does
not provide medical advice
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