Everything You Need to Know About Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially lethal blood clotting condition which effects roughly one in every 1000 American adults annually. When left untreated, the predominant outcomes of deep vein thrombosis are recurrence, major bleeding, and ultimately, death. Understanding the risk factors associated with deep vein thrombosis can help you take steps to prevent and detect it early enough that treatment is still an effective option.

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot (known as a thrombus) develops in one or more of the body’s deep veins. It can occur in any deep vein in the body, though it most commonly effects veins in the legs. The condition is extremely dangerous, as once formed, blood clots can break free from their position in the vein and move through the body via the blood stream. This often results in the clot becoming lodged in the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism), which most often results in death.

Causes and Risk Factors

Anything that prevents normal blood flow or increases clotting can cause the clots associated with deep vein thrombosis. Common causes include surgery, damage to a vein, certain medications that encourage clotting, and extended periods of limited movement (such as during long-haul flights).

Age is a significant risk factor in deep vein thrombosis, as circulatory health typically worsens in older adulthood. Other risk factors include:

• Use of certain birth control pills
• Pregnancy
• Inherited blood clotting disorders
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Certain types of cancer

Early Signs and Symptoms

Depending on the size and location of the blood clot, the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis can be subtle. Patients often describe the pain of deep vein thrombosis as being similar to a pulled muscle. The following symptoms could indicate the presence of a clot, especially when combined with one or more of the above risk factors:

• Localized pain in the thigh or calf
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Tenderness or soreness
• Localized redness

Prevention

The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis can be significantly reduced with the following tactics:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Lead an active lifestyle
• Avoid long periods of stillness
• Take a few minutes to move around at least once every hour, especially when travelling on planes, trains, or buses
• When getting up is not possible, circle your feet to encourage blood flow

If you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications that increase your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, you may want to talk to your doctor about blood thinners.

Treatment Options

The initial focus of deep vein thrombosis treatment is to stop the blood clot from growing while limiting the risk of pulmonary embolism by preventing it from breaking loose. Depending on the size of the clot and the overall health of the patient, a doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

• Blood thinning medication – This will halt the growth of the existing clot and prevent more clots from forming.
• Thrombolytics (clot busters) – Medication that breaks up the blood clot. Since they carry significant risk, thrombolytics are usually reserved for serious DVT cases.
• Filters – A device implanted in an abdominal vein which will ‘catch’ dislodged blood clots before they reach the lungs.
• Compression stockings – Used for symptomatic relief of the discomfort caused by deep vein thrombosis.

As deep vein thrombosis is often deadly when left untreated, medical attention is critical if you’re showing any symptoms of the condition.