PSA: Know The Signs And Symptoms of DVTs PEs (Clots)

[orangeblossom]

In less than a week two very good friends are/were hospitalized for PEs.   For both of them, their lungs were filled with clots. Fortunately, they are okay now, and will have to take medicine for a bit afterwards, and of course take it easy.

Please know the symptoms for yourself and for family.  It could save your life.

www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/facts.html (Facts page)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/index.html (travel info, health professionals, videos, etc)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/infographic-risk.html (Infographic)

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE) are often underdiagnosed and serious, but preventable medical conditions.



Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm.



It is important to know about DVT because it can happen to anybody and can cause serious illness, disability, and in some cases, death. The good news is that DVT is preventable and treatable if discovered early.



Complications of DVT



The most serious complication of DVT happens when a part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a blockage called pulmonary embolism (PE). If the clot is small, and with appropriate treatment, people can recover from PE. However, there could be some damage to the lungs. If the clot is large, it can stop blood from reaching the lungs and is fatal.



In addition, nearly one-third of people who have a DVT will have long-term complications caused by the damage the clot does to the valves in the vein called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). People with PTS have symptoms such as swelling, pain, discoloration, and in severe cases, scaling or ulcers in the affected part of the body. In some cases, the symptoms can be so severe that a person becomes disabled.



For some people, DVT and PE can become a chronic illness; about 30% of people who have had a DVT or PE are at risk for another episode.



Risk Factors for DVT



Almost anyone can have a DVT. However, certain factors can increase the chance of having this condition. The chance increases even more for someone who has more than one of these factors at the same time.



foot in cast

Following is a list of factors that increase the risk of developing DVT:



Injury to a vein, often caused by:

Fractures,

Severe muscle injury, or

Major surgery (particularly involving the abdomen, pelvis, hip, or legs).

Slow blood flow, often caused by:

Confinement to bed

(e.g., due to a medical condition or after surgery);

Limited movement (e.g., a cast on a leg to help heal an injured bone);

Sitting for a long time, especially with crossed legs; or

Paralysis.


Increased estrogen, often caused by:

Birth control pills

Hormone replacement therapy, sometimes used after menopause

Pregnancy, for up to 6 weeks after giving birth

Certain chronic medical illnesses, such as:

Heart disease

Lung disease

Cancer and its treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)


Other factors that increase the risk of DVT include:

Previous DVT or PE

Family history of DVT or PE

Age (risk increases as age increases)

Obesity

A catheter located in a central vein

Inherited clotting disorders


Preventing DVT




The following tips can help prevent DVT:



Move around as soon as possible after having been confined to bed, such as after surgery, illness, or injury.

If you’re at risk for DVT, talk to your doctor about:

Graduated compression stockings (sometimes called “medical compression stockings”)

Medication (anticoagulants) to prevent DVT.

When sitting for long periods of time, such as when traveling for more than four hours:

Get up and walk around every 2 to 3 hours.

Exercise your legs while you’re sitting by:

Raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor

Raising and lowering your toes while keeping your heels on the floor

Tightening and releasing your leg muscles

Wear loose-fitting clothes.

You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, and following your doctor's recommendations based on your individual risk factors.


Symptoms



Know the Signs. Know your Risk. Seek Care.



Everybody should know the signs and symptoms of DVT/PE, their risk for DVT/PE, to talk to their health care provider about their risk, and to seek care immediately if they have any sign or symptom of DVT/PE.



DVT



About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body:



Swelling

Pain

Tenderness

Redness of the skin

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.



PE



You can have a PE without any symptoms of a DVT.



Signs and symptoms of PE can include:



Difficulty breathing

Faster than normal or irregular heart beat

Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing

Coughing up blood

Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting

If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately.



Diagnosis of DVT and PE



The diagnosis of DVT or PE requires special tests that can only be performed by a doctor. That is why it is important for you to seek medical care if you experience any of the symptoms of DVT or PE.





Treatments for DVT and PE



DVT



Medication is used to prevent and treat DVT. Compression stockings (also called graduated compression stockings) are sometimes recommended to prevent DVT and relieve pain and swelling. These might need to be worn for 2 years or more after having DVT. In severe cases, the clot might need to be removed surgically.



PE



Immediate medical attention is necessary to treat PE. In cases of severe, life-threatening PE, there are medicines called thrombolytics that can dissolve the clot. Other medicines, called anticoagulants, may be prescribed to prevent more clots from forming. Some people may need to be on medication long-term to prevent future blood clots.

[kicks]

Don't forget when you're on flights or car rides to move your legs. You can do leg exercises in your seat if you don't want to keep getting up.

My mom developed a DVT when I was in high school after a multi day road trip. So we're all really vigilant about not sitting still for more than 2 hours in cars or flights.

[orangeblossom]

Even better, and infographic: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/infographic-risk.html

[gazpacho]

Thanks for this. My grandmother died from a PE and I've always been worried about this.

[thejackpot]

Thanks for this. I never think about it and it's so scary.