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Additional Information
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What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (throm-BO-sis) is a blood clot that
forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur
in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts
of the body.
If a clot in a vein breaks off and travels through your
bloodstream, it can lodge in your lung. This is called pulmonary
embolism (PUL-mo-ner-e EM-bo-lizm), which is a very serious
condition that can cause death. Blood clots in the thigh
are usually more likely to break off and cause pulmonary
embolism than clots in the lower leg or other parts of the
body.
A blood clot also can occur in veins that are close to the
surface of the skin. This type of blood clot is called superficial
venous thrombosis or phlebitis (fle-BI-tis). Blood clots
in superficial veins are not dangerous because they can’t
travel to the lungs.
Other Names for Deep Vein Thrombosis
- DVT
- Venous thrombosis
- Blood clot in the legs
Who Is At Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Many factors may increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis:
- Having an inherited blood clotting disorder
- Having slowed blood flow—resulting from injury,
surgery, or immobilization—in a deep vein
- Having cancer and undergoing treatment for it
- Having other medical conditions, such as varicose
veins
- Sitting for a long period of time, for example, on a
long trip in a car or on an airplane
- Pregnancy, especially the first 6 weeks after giving
birth
- Being over age 60 (although deep vein thrombosis can
occur in any age group)
- Being overweight
- Taking birth control pills or hormone therapy, including
for postmenopausal symptoms
- Having a central venous catheter, which accounts for
almost 1 in 10 cases
Your risk for deep vein clots increases if you have several
risk factors at the same time. For example, a woman with
an inherited condition for clotting who also takes birth
control pills has an even higher risk to have a blood clot.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
and of Pulmonary Embolism?
It is important to see a doctor right away if you have symptoms
of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Deep vein
thrombosis can cause very serious complications if not treated.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Only about half of the people with deep vein thrombosis
have symptoms. The symptoms may include:
- Swollen area of the leg.
- Pain or tenderness in the leg. The pain is usually in
one leg and may be felt only when standing or walking.
- Increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen
or in pain.
- Red or discolored skin.
Pulmonary Embolism
Some people find out that they have deep vein thrombosis
only after the clot has moved from the leg and traveled to
the lung (pulmonary embolism). The symptoms may include:
- Chest pain when you take a deep breath
- Shortness of breath
To read the rest of this article, and related materials from
the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, please click
here: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html
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