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What You Need to Know about Blood Clots
What You Need to Know About
Blood Clots
or
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
and
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
What is DVT?
• Deep vein thrombosis or “DVT” involves
abnormal clotting of the blood in a deep vein,
most commonly in the veins of the leg or pelvis
• Left untreated, DVT can cause serious health
problems and even death
What is PE?
• Pulmonary embolism or “PE” occurs when a
clot (DVT) breaks free from its original site in a
vein, and travels through the bloodstream and
into the lungs
• DVT and PE are common, potentially
life-threatening, but treatable and generally
preventable conditions
Why Should You Learn About
DVT and PE?
• Although common, few Americans know about blood
clots and how to prevent them
• Up to one million Americans suffer from blood clots
each year, often resulting in hospitalization
• Blood clots are equally as common as heart attack and
stroke
• More than 100,000 Americans die from PE every yearone person every 5 minutes. In most cases of fatal PE,
death occurs suddenly with little or no chance for
treatment
How Do You Know if You Have
DVT or PE?
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•
•
•
Many people with DVT do not have symptoms
In those with symptoms, they are easily recognizable
Very often the first symptom of DVT is a fatal PE
DVT and PE can affect people of any age, not just
older people
• DVT and PE often occur after known triggers such as
surgery
Signs and Symptoms of DVT
• Sudden swelling of one leg or arm
• Unexplained pain or tenderness in the arm or calf
muscle or groin
• Skin on the legs or arm that may be warm to the touch
• Redness of the skin with the above symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of PE
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sharp chest pain, especially when breathing in or
taking a deep breath
• Coughing with or without blood
• Sudden collapse
• Rapid pulse
• Sweating
• A feeling of apprehension
What Causes Blood Clots?
• Injury to a vein
• Blood flow stasis (blood is stagnant) in the veins
• Hereditary abnormalities that make the blood clot
more quickly
DVT/PE Risk Factors
• Family history of DVT or PE or inherited clotting
conditions
• Hospitalization with an acute medical illness
• Recent major surgery, such as orthopedic surgery
• Cancer and its treatment
• Major trauma or injuries to your leg
• Previous DVT or PE
DVT/PE Risk Factors, cont.
• Pregnancy or recently gave birth
• Use birth control pills or undergo hormone
replacement therapy
• Obesity
• Over age 40 and do not exercise
• Spinal cord or brain injury
• Smoking
• Traveling long distances
If You Are At Risk, Talk to Your
Health Care Professional
• Talk about your risk factors with your health care
professional
• Ask about what screening or testing is appropriate
for you
• If you do have DVT, ask about the treatment options
that are best for you
If You Are At Risk, Talk to Your
Health Care Professional, cont.
• Ask about how blood clots can be prevented while you
are in the hospital
• Before undergoing elective surgery, especially
orthopedic surgery, discuss how blood clots can be
prevented
• Ask how soon you can get up, move around and walk
• Tell them about any unexplained chest or leg symptoms
How are DVT and PE Diagnosed?
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•
•
•
•
•
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Venous duplex ultrasound
D - dimer assay
Ventilation/perfusion scan
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Venogram
Pulmonary angiogram
How are DVT and PE Treated?
• Medications called blood thinners or anticoagulants
• Prescription stockings
• In some cases special procedures or surgery may be
needed
Overall Goal of Treatment
• Stop the clot from getting bigger or extending
• Stop the clot from breaking free in the vein and
traveling to the lungs
• Decrease your chance of having another DVT
• Decrease the long-term complications such as post
thrombotic syndrome (PTS)
Reduce My Risk for DVT and PE
• Walk frequently and stay active
• If traveling or immobile for long periods take regular
breaks to stretch your legs and walk around. Tighten
your calf muscles by flexing your foot and raising your
toes 10-15 times each hour
Reduce My Risk for DVT and PE, cont.
• Keep a healthy body weight
• Avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water
• Wear comfortable clothing; tight clothes that constrict
you below the waist are not only uncomfortable, they
also may aggravate vein problems
• Stop smoking! If a loved one smokes, you are at risk
from second hand smoke - help them stop smoking
Reduce My Risk for DVT and PE, cont.
• If you are hospitalized, especially with major surgery,
resume physical activity and walking as soon as your
doctor permits it
• Discuss risks of DVT with birth control or hormone
replacement therapy with your doctor
• Find out if you have a family history of blood clots and
tell your doctor
To Learn More About DVT and PE:
www.VenousDiseaseCoalition.org
www.vdf.org
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/blood/index.htm