Detecting Deep Vein Thrombosis
You were on a six hour nonstop flight to London from New York. There wasn’t a lot of leg room and you didn’t get up to walk around. Should you be concerned about deep vein thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a deep vein, commonly found in the lower leg or thigh, that can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling and skin discoloration. The most serious cases can lead to a condition known as pulmonary embolism, where the clot breaks loose and blocks an artery in the lungs.
Although the precise number of people affected by deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is unknown, as many as 900,000 could be affected each year in the United States.
Researchers have found that in most cases, DVT and pulmonary embolism develop in people who have inherited a blood clotting disorder or other risk factor, and who experience a triggering event.
It starts with the veins. Unlike arteries, which have the ability to relax and contract on their own to regulate blood flow, veins rely on the skeletal muscles around them to contract and propel blood toward the heart. They also have a series of one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward, or down toward your feet.
Leg veins, particularly those in the calf, are the most vulnerable to DVT. Most cases are triggered by one of three conditions: slowed flow of blood, a boost in the activity of the blood’s clotting system or an injury to a vein.
The risk of DVT increases with surgery, especially on the hips or knees; sitting still for long periods, such as on a cross-country flight; prolonged bed rest; leg paralysis; strokes; heart failure; trauma; smoking; obesity; blood-clotting abnormalities; some medications and widespread cancer.
Symptoms include calf pain, tenderness and leg swelling. In severe cases, the leg may feel warm or appear bluish; a swollen vein may also be visible.
DVT is considered a silent condition. It often shows up without any symptoms. It can be misdiagnosed as another condition such as a heart attack, pneumonia or anxiety attack.
Complications are uncommon if the clot remains in the calf; the body can often dissolve it without medication. Unfortunately, clots are likely to move upward to the thigh or pelvis, setting the stage for complications.
The most serious complication is pulmonary embolism. This occurs when part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, where it can block blood flow and affect breathing.
Another complication, called the post-phlebitic syndrome, occurs when the clot puts so much pressure on the vein and its valves that the vein is permanently damaged.
If your doctor suspects you have DVT, you will probably undergo an ultrasound test and/or an X-ray test called a venogram. Treatment of DVT usually involves blood thinners.
Because pulmonary embolism is life-threatening and because people who have had one episode are likely to have another, prevention is key.
Keep moving, go for a daily walk, avoid prolonged bed rest, stay as lean as possible, don’t smoke and stay well-hydrated.
Whether you are in a car, on a plane or sitting at your desk, taking a break from sitting for long periods of time is optimum.
