• 1 in 45 after hip or knee replacement
• 1 in 85 after cancer surgery
• 1 in 815 after day surgery

The results should be a wake-up call for surgeons. It used to be thought that the chances of developing a blood clot rose about 20% or so after surgery, but these findings show that it really is almost 70 times higher.The article was published yesterday in the on-line issue of BMJ.

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Surgery Blood Clot Risk Higher Than Thought

Dr. Garth Graham from the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, spoke about minorities and DVTs at the Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) Annual Meeting. The Venous Disease Coalition is a network of people who are working together to help raise awareness of venous disease. They offer this quick quiz so you may see if you are at an increased risk of developing a DVT.

The statistics for DVT in the United States are high. According to the Coalition,

Approximately 350,000 to 600,000 Americans suffer from DVT and PE each year, and at least 100,000 deaths may be directly or indirectly related to these diseases. African Americans have a remarkable 30 percent higher risk of DVT and PE than the Caucasian population.

Are you at risk?

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Image: iStock.com

Post from: Blisstree

African Americans: Higher Blood Clot Risk

Blood clots, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are clots that form deep in veins, most often in the legs. These clots sit along side of the vein, slowing down blood flow as the blood passes, but more dangerous – they can break off the wall and follow the blood to your heart and lungs.

When theses clots reach your lungs, they are called pulmonary emboli (plural for embolism), and these can cause death.

People at highest risk for DVTs are those who recently had surgery below the waist, who are immobile, overweight, smoke, or just had a child within the previous 6 months. Some types of medications may also increase the risk of clotting. However, a new category of people at risk has been identified over the past years and that’s people who sit still for long periods while traveling.

Any type of travel where you sit still increases your risk, but flying seems to be the highest risk activity for DVTs. It’s harder to get up and walk around on a plane, your legs are more cramped, and the air is very dry in airplanes, raising the risk of dehydration.

Signs and symptoms:

Signs that you may have a DVT – before it breaks away from the vein wall – are:

• redness in one leg, specifically in one spot
• one leg warmer than the other, specifically in one spot
• pain or tenderness in a specific area of the leg
• swelling of one leg

Signs of a pulmonary embolism include:

• sudden chest pain
• sudden cough
• shortness of breath
• rapid breathing
• rapid pulse

If you have any symptoms of DVT, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you have any symptoms of pulmonary embolism, you should seek emergency help immediately. It’s best to call for emergency help than go for it because you should stay as still as is possible.

What to do while traveling

Move your legs around as much as possible. Get up and walk around regularly and drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, which can promote dehydration. You may want to ask your doctor if you should wear compression stockings. These are special socks that help keep even pressure on your legs, promoting good blood flow.

Here is a quick video that explains what DVT is and what to look for. Just click on the TV screen:

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Images: MorgueFile.com and iStock.com

Post from: Blisstree

Travel Season, But Watch For Blood Clots

Of course, when we travel, we want to stay healthy so we get vaccinations if we need and we be sure to take necessary medicaitons with us, but what about unforeseen problems, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

What’s that you say?

DVTs are blood clots that form in deep veins in your body – most commonly in the legs, but they could happen anywhere a deep vein exists. The vein sits along the vein wall and, if big enough, it can slow or block blood flow. But worse, if it breaks off – it could travel to your lung and cause a pulmonary embolism , a clot in your lung, which could lead to death.

What has this got to do with travel?

There have been reports of so-called Economy Class Syndrome, where people who have flown long distances have developed DVTs while sitting in their seats. The theory is that the cramped leg room in the airplane discourages or prevents moving the legs, which can reduce the risk of blood clots. And, the longer you sit there, the worse it gets.

This doesn’t only happen in planes though. Although in planes you are limited with your ability to move, people who are determined to drive long distances in their car, without stopping, could also be at risk of developing a DVT.

So, what should you do?

First, you need to know if you’re at risk of having one. Of course, anyone can have one, but some people are at a higher risk. These include people who:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Are inactive
• Travel long distances in confined quarters
• Use certain birth control pills
• Are pregnant
• Had a trauma to a leg
• Recently had surgery
• Are immobile or on bedrest
• Have a family history of blood clots

If you have any of these risk factors, you should speak to your doctor before traveling. And, watch for these signs and symptoms. If you have any, seek help right away:

• Red areas on the leg
• Temperature differences (a leg with a clot may be warmer to touch)
• Swelling in one area or on one leg
• Pain or tenderness

Don’t take any chances with DVTs. Get help if you suspect you have one.

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Images: Morguefile.com

Post from: Blisstree

Summer Vacation, Travels…and DVT?

What is DVT and who’s at risk?

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein (often in the lower legs). The clot blocks circulation and may result in a very dangerous pulmonary embolism (PE).

While anyone can be affected by DVT, certain people are at greater risk. A few of the risk factors include: obesity, smoking, recent surgery and restricted mobility. To learn more about your own personal risk, use the DVT Risk Accessor at The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis.

If you’re at risk or if you’re about to have a surgery with extended bed rest to follow, please talk with your doctor about ways to prevent DVT.

To help prevent DVTs while sitting still for a long period of time, such during an 8-hour flight, you may benefit from wearing compression stockings, walking down the aisle hourly and flexing your feet every 20 minutes (source: WebMD).

The following facts about DVT (courtesy of The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis) may really surprise you!

PE is the leading cause of maternal death associated with childbirth. A woman’s risk of developing VTE is six times greater when she is pregnant.

Without preventive treatment, up to 60 percent of patients who undergo total hip replacement surgery may develop DVT.

Fatal PE may be the most common preventable cause of hospital death in the US.

Up to 600,000 people are hospitalized in the US each year for DVT.

Cancer patients undergoing surgical procedures have at least twice the risk of postoperative DVT and more than three times the risk of fatal PE than non-cancer patients undergoing similar procedures.

DVT may occur without symptoms, but some common symptoms include swelling of the affected leg and warmness, redness or tenderness in the calf or thigh or other areas of the leg.

Do you know someone who has been affected by DVT or PE?

(Image by Compression Stockings.com)

Post from: Blisstree

Startling Facts About Deep Vein Thrombosis