Deep-Vein Thrombosis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs in approximately two million Americans each year.1 DVT occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. The condition may result in health complications, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and even death if not diagnosed and treated effectively.

A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot is lodged in the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary artery), causing a severe dysfunction in respiratory function.  PEs often come from the deep leg veins and travel to the lungs through blood circulation. Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath (that becomes worse with breathing), and rapid heart and respiratory rates.

Blood clots form to help heal the body after an injury.  For example, clots are what stop the bleeding in a cut or wound.  In most situations, blood clots are a natural part of the healing process.  They enable the injured tissue to begin to repair itself without excessive blood loss.  In the case of DVT, however, the body signals the clotting process to occur unnecessarily at the wrong time and in the wrong place.12

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Blood clots can occur anywhere in the body. However, DVT occurs only in deep veins. Most often it occurs in the legs, thighs, and pelvis.

• Congestive heart failure or respiratory failure
• Restricted mobility
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Age over 40 years
• Recent surgery
• Smoking
• Prior or family history of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

^*This is a partial list of risk factors

DVT occurs most commonly in adults over 40, but anyone at risk can develop it.

Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration or redness of the affected area, and skin that is warm to the touch. However, as many as half of all DVT episodes produce minimal symptoms or are completely “silent.” Because a number of other conditions — including muscle strains, skin infections, and phlebitis (inflammation of veins) — display symptoms similar to those of DVT, the condition may be difficult to diagnose without specific tests.14 Advise your patients to see you immediately if they have any of the symptoms listed above.

DVT occurs in about 2 million Americans each year, and up to 600,000 people are hospitalized in the United States each year for DVT and its primary complication, PE.1 An estimated 300,000 first-time cases of DVT occur in the United States every year.9 More people die in the United States from PE than from breast cancer and AIDS combined.1

If you are at risk for DVT, or have experienced a prior DVT or PE, you can still make long-distance trips, as long as you take some simple precautions.  Recommend that before patients leave for a long trip, they practice calf and leg exercises they can do while sitting, and that during their trip; they stretch their legs as much as possible.  They may also want to wear compression stockings to help the circulation of blood in the legs.  Remind them to stay hydrated; dehydration can increase the concentration of clotting factors in the blood.  If patients will be traveling for more than four hours, you may consider recommending treatment with an anticoagulant, or “blood thinner,” before they leave.15