Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Doctor Cahn

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and COVID-19. Get the facts HERE!

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March is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month and Doctor Cahn wants you to know the facts that could save the life of you or a loved one.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep in your body. These types of DVT clots typically develop in your lower legs or thighs, but they may also appear in your upper body, such as your arms or other locations in the body.

Deep vein thrombosis can pose a serious threat to health as pieces of a clot can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism and can be fatal soon after it occurs. DVT can also block blood flow in your veins, causing the blood to pool, causing swelling, pain, and permanent damage to your leg. This is known as post-thrombotic syndrome.

Some Facts About DVT

On average, 274 people die every day from blood clots. (Source: https://www.stoptheclot.org/)

Blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolisms):

  • Affect upwards of 600,000 Americans each year and cause more deaths each year than the more well-publicized conditions of breast cancer, AIDS,and motor vehicle accidents.
  • Are a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths in the United States.
  • Are the leading cause of maternal death in the United States.
  • Will cause long-term complications in one-half of people and one-third will have a recurrence within 10 years. (Source: http://www.clotconnect.org)

What Causes DVT? 

There are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of DVT:

  • Surgery, particularly surgery of the hip or leg, or abdominal surgery
  • A long period of bed rest or sitting for a long time (ex: on an airplane or in a car)
  • Birth control pills or hormones taken for symptoms of menopause
  • Certain diseases and conditions, such as:
    • Varicose veins
    • Chronic atrial fibrillation
    • Inflammatory bowel disease
    • Lupus erythematosus, a disease of the immune system
    • Cancer
    • Heart failure
    • Heart attack
    • Arterial disease
    • Spinal cord injury and resulting paralysis
    • Previous blood clot (thrombosis)
    • Pregnancy
    • Intensive care treatment involving placement of a central venous catheter
What Are The Symptoms of DVT?
DVT occurs without symptoms about 50 percent of the time. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Swelling in the leg
  • Red, discolored, or white skin
  • A cord in a leg vein that can be felt
  • Rapid heart beat (tachycardia)
  • Slight fever
  • Warm skin
  • More visible surface veins
  • A dull ache, tightness, tenderness or pain in the leg (these symptoms may only occur while walking or standing)

Any of these symptoms of DVT may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis or call Doctor Cahn to schedule a Free Vein Health Screening and Ultrasound at (910) 363-4949. (Some restrictions apply, call for details)

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