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Blood Clots: DVT and PE Information

Learn about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), their signs, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to reduce your risk of these life-threatening conditions.

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Blood Clots: DVT and PE Information

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  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

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