What You Need to Know about Blood Clots

1. What You Need to Know about Blood Clots

2. What You Need to Know About Blood Clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 year- one person every 5 minutes. In most cases of fatal PE, death occurs suddenly with little or no chance for treatment

6. How Do You Know if You Have DVT or PE? • 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. How are DVT and PE Diagnosed? • Venous duplex ultrasound • D - dimer assay • Ventilation/perfusion scan • Computerized tomography (CT) scan • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) • Venogram • Pulmonary angiogram

15. How are DVT and PE Treated? • Medications called blood thinners or anticoagulants • Prescription stockings • In some cases special procedures or surgery may be needed

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. To Learn More About DVT and PE: www.VenousDiseaseCoalition.org www.vdf.org www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/blood/index.htm