Overview of Deep Vein Thrombosis

What exactly is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep vein. Deep veins run between muscles of the leg. Blood clots most often develop in the calf and thigh veins, and less often in the arm veins or pelvic veins. Clots in deep veins require immediate medical care as it would partly or completely block the flow of blood, causing chronic pain and swelling which would finally lead to damage to vital organs due to breakage of clot and even death.

Did you know? Around 100 000 people lose their lives each year because of DVT related conditions.

What causes DVT?

Many factors can increase your risk of developing DVT.

These factors include:

àInactivity – when you remain inactive for a prolonged period, the muscles in our body don’t contract and blood will have the tendency to accumulate which slows down blood flow increasing the risk of clots forming. Remaining immobile includes being hospitalized after an operation due to illness of injury, during a long journey (car trip or plane flight), or sitting for long period of time without moving

àInjury or surgery – when the veins are damaged, they can be narrowed or blocked which results in the formation of a blood clot, leading to DVT. Blood vessels can easily be damaged through injuries like broken bones, muscle damage. In addition, general anesthetics used during surgery can make veins dilate, which increase the risk of blood pooling and then clotting. After surgery, staying bedridden (immobile first reason) can also increases chances of blood clotting

àGenetic and medical conditions – Inheritance of conditions like cancer (treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy increases risk of blood clot), heart and lung disease (blood not pumped properly and smoothly), thrombophilia (a genetic condition that makes blood more likely to clot), Hughes syndrome (blood becomes sticker/thicker)

à Contraceptive pills or hormone therapy – for women, when they take medications like birth control pills, contraceptive pills or go for hormone replacement therapy, there is the existence of female hormone oestrogen which cause blood to clot more easily, increasing the risk of DVT

àObesity or pregnancy – both causes more pressure on the veins, especially those in the pelvis and legs which increases the chances of blood clot

àOther causes- smoking, old age (usually over 60 where movements are more restricted), having a history of DVT

What are some symptoms of DVT?

Symptoms of DVT include swelling of the affected leg, the affected leg may feel warm and look redder than the other leg, calf/ thigh may ache or feel tender when you touch / squeeze / stand / move, red or discolored skin, leg fatigue.

How does DVT affect or complicate you?

With DVT, as the clot enlarges, the vein may become blocked, resulting in restricted blood flow through the body, often leading to life threatening complications, including lung failure, heart failure and even death. Additionally, for clots which may not completely block a vein, particles may separate, travel through the cardiovascular system and become lodged within the smaller veins of the lungs, resulting in a fatal cardiovascular event known as pulmonary embolism.

How do I prevent DVT?

àExercising regularly – Helps to improve circulation in legs

à Eating a healthy balanced diet

àMaintaining a healthy weight or lose weight if needed

àDuring long trips – move or stretch legs to improve blood flow regularly and avoid wearing tight fitting clothes (This helps to distribute any blood that have been accumulated evenly around the body)