| Are you at risk for DVT? DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside your body. Deep vein blood clots typically occur in your lower leg or thigh, but they can occur in other parts of your body.
View an animation of DVT. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through your bloodstream. If the clot travels to your lungs and blocks blood flow, it can result in a pulmonary embolism, which is a serious condition. Here are four common questions about DVT answered. 1. Am I at risk for DVT? Many factors increase your risk for DVT. They include: - Having a history of DVT.
- Being inactive for an extended period of time. This may occur after surgery or if you're ill and in bed for a long time, or if you are on a long flight or car trip.
- Being pregnant or having given birth within the last 6 weeks.
- Taking birth control pills or hormone therapy.
- Being older than 60 (although DVT can occur at any age).
- Being overweight or obese.
- Having a disorder that makes your blood thicker or more likely to clot (such as factor V Leiden).
Learn more about DVT risk factors. 2. How can I prevent DVT? If you're at risk for DVT: - See your doctor for regular checkups.
- Take all medicines as your doctor prescribes.
- Get out of bed and moving around as soon as possible after surgery or illness.
3. How can I prevent DVT while traveling? Your risk of developing DVT while traveling is small. The risk increases if the travel time is longer than 4 hours or you have other DVT risk factors. During long trips, it may help to: - Walk up and down the aisles of the bus, train, or airplane. If traveling by car, stop about every hour and walk around.
- Move your legs and flex and stretch your feet to encourage blood flow in your calves.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Avoid alcohol.
If you're at increased risk for DVT, your doctor may recommend that you take a blood-thinning medicine before traveling or wear compression stockings while traveling.
Learn more about DVT prevention. 4. How is DVT treated? DVT may be treated with medicines that decrease your blood's ability to clot or stop existing blood clots from getting bigger, and with devices such as graduated compression stockings or a vena cava filter. The main goals of treatment are to stop the blood clot from getting bigger, to prevent the blood clot from breaking off and moving to your lungs, and to reduce your chance of having another blood clot.
Read more about DVT treatment options.
Men in Red  Heart Truth® partner Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center, in Kansas City, Missouri, submitted the photo at right to The Heart Truth® campaign's Facebook page. Pictured are workers from the JE Dunn Construction Company who are building the new Saint Luke's Mid America Heart and Vascular Institute. The men donned red to show their support for women and heart disease awareness on National Wear Red Day.®
You can view more great photos on The Heart Truth® Facebook page.
News and Events Student National Medical Association Conference, April 20–24, 2011, Indianapolis, IN
American Thoracic Society International Conference, May 13–18, 2011, Denver, CO
®The Heart Truth is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ® National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and the American Heart Association.
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