DO YOU HAVE PAIN OR SWELLING?

A blood clot forming in a deep vein is known as a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A DVT can develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, and sometimes in the arm. If a blood clot gets into your bloodstream and travels to the lungs, it is known as a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). A PE can damage the lungs and sometimes be fatal.

A DVT can become a chronic illness and cause long term complications. The affected body part from a DVT can cause:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness
• Discoloration
• Scaling/ulcers

Signs and symptoms of PE can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing
• Coughing up blood
• Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting

Certain risk factors can increase the chance of a DVT. Some risk factors are:

• Injury to a vein, often caused by:
  1.  Fractures
  2. Severe muscle injury
  3. Major surgery (particularly involving the abdomen, pelvis, hip, or legs).
• Slow blood flow, often caused by:
  1. Confinement to bed (e.g., due to a medical condition or after surgery)
  2. Limited movement (e.g., a cast on a leg to help heal an injured bone)
  3. Sitting for a long time, especially with crossed legs
  4. Paralysis
• Increased estrogen, often caused by:
  1. Birth control pills
  2. Hormone replacement therapy, sometimes used after menopause
  3. Pregnancy, for up to 3 months after giving birth
• Certain chronic medical illnesses, such as:
  1. Heart disease
  2. Lung disease
  3. Cancer and its treatment
  4. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Other factors that increase the risk of DVT include:
  1. Previous DVT or PE
  2. Family history of DVT or PE
  3. Age (risk increases as age increases)
  4. Obesity
  5. A catheter located in a central vein
  6. Inherited clotting disorders

Tips on how to prevent a DVT and PE :

• Reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight and following your doctor’s recommendations based on your individual risk factors
• 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 compression stockings or medication to prevent a DVT
• Stretch your muscles when having to sit for an extended time period while traveling  

To diagnose the cause of a DVT or PE, Premier Cardiovascular Consultants will perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and discuss the symptoms you’re having. Depending on your symptoms, testing may be performed including a vein ultrasound or a prescription medication may be prescribed.

To learn more about DVT or PE, schedule an appointment by calling Premier Cardiovascular Consultants or request an appointment online today.