According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 900,000 Americans may develop a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) each year.
Of those, between 60,000 to 100,000 will die from their DVT, or as a result of the DVT dislodging and traveling to the lungs, where it becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE). This condition is fast-acting. Up to 30 percent of deaths from DVT/PE occur within a month of diagnosis, and in about 25 percent of patients, sudden death is the first symptom of a PE.
The risk is real: the CDC reports that up to 8 percent of the U.S. population has one of several genetic risk factors or inherited genetic defects, that make them more prone to developing a thrombosis.
Coupled with a number of other environmental and lifestyle risk factors, it’s important to be aware of just how at risk you may be, and to be familiar with the early signs and symptoms so that you can act quickly to get medical attention before you face irreversible damage or death.
What Is A DVT?
A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein in an extremity, most commonly in the thigh or lower leg. These clots tend to form when blood flow is slowed or restricted, allowing blood to pool in the legs, where it clumps together and forms clots. A DVT may be completely asymptomatic, or it may develop a number of painful or uncomfortable symptoms. It may resolve on its own or may require blood-thinning treatment to dissolve the clot, but on its own Is typically not life-threatening.
The biggest risk associated with a DVT is the possibility that the clot, which has formed in the extremity, will dislodge, traveling through the body and back to the lungs, where it becomes trapped and becomes a PE. A PE, unlike a DVT, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment. A clot in the lungs can limit or completely obstruct blood flow to the major organs in the body, causing organ failure or death.
What Are The Risk Factors?
In addition to a genetic predisposition to blood clots, there are several other factors that can increase your risk of developing a DVT/PE. Among them:
- Age: Risk for a DVT/PE increases as you age, and you are in a higher risk category for developing a clot once you’re over the age of 40
- Weight: Overweight and obese people are at an increased risk for developing a DVT/PE, because this demographic tends to be more sedentary, which is another risk factor. Studies have shown that overweight and obese people have significantly lower levels of a chemical called tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), which helps the body dissolve clots
- Travel: Recent travel (regardless of whether it’s by plane, car, train or bus), especially for long distances or times greater than four hours, can put you at an increased risk for developing a DVT/PE. Sitting in a cramped space or sitting for long periods of time can affect blood flow to the lower extremities, causing blood to pool in the lower legs and increasing the likelihood that a clot will form.
- Surgery or Trauma: A recent surgery or trauma to the body, which can include anything from a car accident to a fractured bone, increases your risk of developing a DVT/PE.
- Birth Control/Hormone Replacement Therapy: Estrogen-containing birth controls, such as the pill, or hormone replacement therapy, both increase your risk for developing a DVT, especially if you are over the age of 35.
- Pregnancy/Postpartum: Pregnant women develop changed body chemistry, which makes them more prone to clots. The reduced blood flow to the legs caused by pressure from the fetus can increase risk as well. This elevated risk continues for up to 6 weeks after delivery.
- Limited Mobility: Being hospitalized, bedridden with a chronic illness, or having limited mobility for a range of reasons can increase your risk for a DVT
- Smoking: Smoking increases your chances for developing a DVT
What Are The Signs and Symptoms?
If you have developed a DVT, you may experience:
Swelling
A DVT may cause fluid buildup around the clot, which will cause the limb to become swollen. If one limb is more swollen than the other, it may be the sign that you’ve developed a DVT, especially if you’re in an at-risk category.
Pain
A DVT may cause the area around it to become painful, tender or sore. This can range from mild discomfort, similar to a bruise, to excruciating pain that makes it difficult to walk or move the extremity. Some patients have reported that the pain from a DVT is similar to that of a Charley horse.
Heat
If you have developed a DVT, your extremity may be hot to the touch, or you may have a sensation that the area where the clot has formed feels extremely hot. In some cases, blood clots can also trigger fevers, as the body mobilizes to try and dissolve the clot.
Discoloration
The area around the clot may become discolored, and may take on a reddish or bluish tinge. It may also appear to be similar to a nasty bruise.
Leg Fatigue
You may experience a sudden, unexplained fatigue in the affected limb.
Swollen Veins
In some cases, you may develop visibly swollen veins that protrude from the skin. These veins may be red, swollen, or tender, or completely asymptomatic.
If you experience any of the symptoms above, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and begin treatment for the clot, and to rule out any other causes (such as a fracture).
However, if you develop any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate, emergency medical attention, because these symptoms indicate that your DVT has dislodged and traveled to the lungs:
Sudden Shortness of Breath
If you develop a sudden, unexplained shortness of breath or a feeling that has been described as a “drowning” sensation, your DVT may have dislodged and become a PE. This may be accompanied by a feeling of dizziness or fainting spells.
Chest Pain
A sudden, unexplained, shooting chest pain is also a common symptom of a PE. This is especially true when the chest pain worsens when you try to take a deep breath or when you cough. Many patients often also report bouts of coughing, with or without bloody mucus.
Racing Heart Rate
As your body attempts to compensate for the blockage, you may develop a racing heart rate or an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia). If you feel your heart pounding without an explanation, it may be the sign of a PE.
Skin Changes
If your skin becomes clammy, or if you notice a bluish hue (this will often be most visible in the lips and inside the mouth), you may have developed a PE.
DVTs aren’t to be taken lightly. If you think you’re at risk, seek medication attention ASAP.