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
signs.
Pulmonary 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:
·
Have cancer
·
Have had surgery
·
Are on extended bed rest
·
Are older
·
Smoke
·
Are overweight or obese
·
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.
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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