March is DVT Awareness Month - Learn About Risks, Signs, Treatment

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh, but they can also develop in other parts of the body like the arms or abdomen.

When a DVT blood clot breaks loose, it can travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs. This blockage in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) and can be fatal if not treated right away.

What Causes DVT Blood Clots?

There are several risk factors that can increase the chances of developing DVT:

• Prolonged sitting or inactivity - This is especially risky during long trips.
• Pregnancy - Increased blood clot risk due to hormone changes.
• Obesity - Being overweight or obese can impair blood flow.
• Smoking - Damages blood vessels and increases clotting.
• Birth control pills or hormone therapy - Contains estrogen that elevates blood clotting factors.
• Varicose veins - Weakens blood vessel walls.
• Cancer - Cancer and cancer treatment heighten risk.
• Heart failure - Causes blood to pool and thicken.
• Inflammatory diseases - Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can increase blood clotting.
• Prior blood clot - Higher risk of another blood clot.
• Family history - Increased likelihood if a close relative had DVT or PE.
• Major surgery - Especially orthopedic procedures like hip or knee replacements.
• Trauma - Head or leg injuries can damage blood vessels and limit mobility.
• Central venous catheters - Used for medical treatments like chemotherapy.

When these and other risk factors are present, they can cause your blood to move more slowly or the walls of your veins to be damaged. This allows blood cells and proteins to stick together and form a clot.

DVT Symptoms

Some common signs and symptoms of DVT in the leg or arm include:

• Swelling - The affected limb may look enlarged or swollen.
• Pain - Aching or cramping pain in the leg or arm.
• Warmth - The area around the clot is warm to the touch.
• Redness - Skin discoloration over the clot.
• Leg tiredness - A heavy feeling in the affected leg.

The danger is that about 50% of people with DVT do not have signs or symptoms. However, some pulmonary embolism warning signs to know include:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Chest pain - May worsen with deep breaths
• Coughing or coughing up blood
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Racing heart or palpitations

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away since PE can quickly become life-threatening.

How is DVT Diagnosed?

If DVT is suspected, your doctor will likely order one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

• D-dimer blood test - Measures levels of dissolved blood clot fragments. Elevated levels indicate a clot may be present.
• Ultrasound - Uses sound waves to allow direct visualization of the deep veins.
• Venography - Contrast dye is injected to highlight blood vessels on x-rays.
• MRI or CT scan - Cross-sectional imaging helps locate blood clots.

Finding and treating DVT early on is key to preventing long-term complications like post-thrombotic syndrome or pulmonary hypertension from recurrent PE.

DVT Prevention Tips

There are some simple yet effective ways to help prevent dangerous DVT blood clots from developing:

• Move around frequently - On long flights or car rides, get up and walk every 2 hours or so. Perform leg exercises while seated as well.
• Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol or caffeine.
• Wear compression socks - Improves circulation in the legs and reduces swelling.
• Maintain a healthy weight - Obesity is a preventable risk factor.
• Avoid crossing your legs - Can restrict blood flow.
• Don't smoke - Gives up a major clotting risk factor.
• Do regular exercise - Get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity daily.
• Take blood thinners if prescribed - Medications like heparin or warfarin help prevent DVT.

People at high risk for blood clots, like after major surgery, may also receive preventive medications or mechanical compression devices.

Treating DVT Blood Clots

Treatment for DVT aims to prevent the blood clot from getting larger as well as prevent pulmonary embolism. Common DVT treatments include:

• Anticoagulant medications - Blood thinners like heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto) stop clot extension.
• Thrombolytics - Specialized drugs like alteplase (Activase) directly dissolve the clot.
• Compression stockings - Help with leg swelling and post-thrombotic syndrome.
• Filters - Can be placed in the inferior vena cava to catch clot fragments before they reach the lungs.

Most patients with DVT will need 3-6 months of oral anticoagulation medications to allow the clot to fully dissolve. Lifelong treatment may be necessary for some people at high risk for recurrence.

Treating Pulmonary Embolism

A PE requires urgent medical care. Initial treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing the condition from worsening with:

• Oxygen therapy
• Pain medication
• Fluids and heart medication for low blood pressure
• Blood thinners to stop the clot from getting bigger

If a large clot is causing severe symptoms, thrombolytics may be given to break it up quickly. In the most serious cases, surgical embolectomy is done to remove the pulmonary embolism.

DVT Awareness and Research

Raising awareness about deep vein thrombosis risk factors, signs, and symptoms is crucial for increasing early diagnosis and improving outcomes. Several organizations work year-round to promote DVT education, but there is an annual DVT Awareness Month held each March.

History of DVT Awareness Month

DVT Awareness Month was started in 2003 by the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting DVT and pulmonary embolism awareness across the United States and Canada.

They chose March because it fell between World Thrombosis Day on October 13th and National Blood Clot Awareness Month in September. This allowed DVT education to be highlighted multiple times throughout the year.

Each year, NATF partners with other leading organizations like the American Venous Forum, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Chest Physicians, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to promote March as DVT Awareness Month.

2020 DVT Awareness Month

For DVT Awareness Month 2020, the "Stop the Clot" campaign focused on sharing facts, risk reduction tips, warning signs, and stories of people affected by DVT. The goal was to educate both healthcare providers and the general public on the dangers of blood clots.

Some key facts highlighted included:

• DVT causes up to 100,000 deaths each year in the US.
• As many as 900,000 Americans are affected annually.
• Almost one-third of people with a DVT will have long-term complications.
• Pulmonary embolism is the #1 preventable cause of hospital death.
• Early treatment of blood clots can prevent death and disability.

Ongoing social media campaigns, downloadable posters, and other online resources helped spread blood clot awareness throughout the month.

Ongoing DVT Research

While DVT Awareness Month only occurs for one month out of the year, critical research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DVT and PE is continuously underway. Topics under current investigation include:

• New oral anticoagulants with fewer drug and food interactions
• Predicting post-thrombotic syndrome development
• Optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy
• Role of vena cava filters
• Identifying patients suitable for home vs. hospital treatment
• Improving PE survivor care
• Advances in catheter-directed thrombolysis

Bringing attention to this deadly yet preventable condition will hopefully translate to reduced mortality and complications for the hundreds of thousands affected each year.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.