What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Deep Vein Thrombosis is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. Left untreated, the clot can break loose and travel to the lungs. When this happens, this is known as a pulmonary embolism. Nine out of ten chases of pulmonary embolism are caused by blood clots that formed in the legs and traveled to the lungs. The American Hear Association estimates that 1 out of every 1000 Americans develop DVT each year. Of that number, more than 600,000 people in the US have a pulmonary embolism each year and 1 in 100 die from it. Symptoms of DVT may include one-sided calf of leg pain, swelling, redness, discoloration and increased visibility of the leg’s surface veins. But sometimes there are no symptoms at all. This is why DVT is often referred to as the silent killer.
Deep vein thrombosis, also known as deep thrombophlebitis, is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Clots can form in superficial veins and in deep veins. Deep veins are the veins near the bones that are surrounded by muscle. These veins lie deeper under the skin and return more blood to the heart than surface (superficial) veins. Blood clots with inflammation in superficial veins (called superficial thrombophlebitis or phlebitis) rarely cause serious problems. But clots in deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) require immediate medical care. These clots are dangerous because they can break loose, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, and block blood flow in the lungs (pulmonary embolism ). A pulmonary embolism is often life-threatening. DVT can also lead to long-lasting problems. DVT may damage the vein and cause the leg to ache, swell, and change color. It can also lead to leg sores after years of having a DVT. Blood clots most often develop in the calf and
