Your Health Matters

Earlier this week while I was listening to NBC Nightly News Anchor Brain Williams, he mentioned that March is DVT Awareness Month, and reminded us of the tragic sudden death of 39 year old David Bloom in 2003- who was an NBC journalist. Bloom was traveling with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq when he suddenly died due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a pulmonary embolism.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which a blood clot forms inside a deep vein, commonly located in the calf or thigh. DVT occurs when the blood clot either partially blocks or completely blocks the flow of blood in the vein.

Complications from DVT kill up to 200,000 people a year in the U.S. - that's more than AIDS and breast cancer combined. Given this startling statistic, it's important to know the facts.

• Most often occurs in the lower limbs

• Most victims are 60 years or older, DVT can strike anyone at risk.

• The leading medical factors that cause DVT are: injury, immobility, surgery and/or illnesses that may include cancer, clotting disorders, and inflammatory diseases.

• Prolonged periods of sitting still can slow down the blood flow and lead to blood "pooling," or accumulating in the extremities. Tragically, it may have been the long hours he spent cramped in the Army Vehicle that caused his death. Three days before his death, Bloom had complained of cramps behind his knee. Like most he endured days and nights of working, eating, sleeping in their vehicles as convoys snaked their way toward Bagdad.

• Certain cancers may cause clotting factors in the blood to increase. Clotting factors may also be affected as a result of an infection or injury to a blood vessel or following surgery.

• Pregnant women are 5 times more likely than nonpregnant women to develop DVT. Risk increases in the third trimester and immediately following delivery.

• Women taking oral contraceptives or hormone replacement may be at increased risk of DVT.

• Clot fragments have been found in up to 60% of patients with leg and hip fractures.

• Symptoms of DVT may include pain, tenderness, swelling or discoloration of the affected area, and skin that is warm to the touch.

• Some deep vein thromboses are "silent" and may be present with minimal symptoms.

• A major risk associated with DVT is the development of pulmonary embolism (PE). PE occurs when a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of a vein and travels to the lungs, blocking the pulmonary artery or one of its branches.

• Patients with pulmonary embolism may experience shortness of breath, an apprehensive feeling, chest pain, rapid pulse, sweating, or a bloody cough. (Seek medical care immediately.)

PREVENTION: Because "killer legs" can creep up with little or no warning, the best tactic to take against DVT is prevention. Although the risk of deep vein thrombosis cannot be entirely eliminated, it can be reduced in several ways. People at risk of DVT should flex and extend the ankles about 10 times every 30 minutes. Such people include those who have just had major surgery and those taking long trips. During long flights, everyone should walk and stretch every 2 hours and drink plenty of water. When sitting a lot, don't wear tight clothing.

DIAGNOSIS: DVT may be difficult for doctors to detect, especially when pain and swelling are absent or very slight. When this disorder is suspected, color Doppler ultrasonography can confirm the diagnosis. If the person has symptoms of pulmonary embolism, chest scanning using a radioactive marker is performed to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, and color Doppler ultrasonography is performed to check the legs for clots. These procedures are performed except when a person collapses. Collapse suggests massive pulmonary embolism and requires immediate treatment.

MEDICATIONS: Drugs generally used to treat DVT fall into two basic categories: Anticoagulants and Thrombolytic Agents. Patients who are unable to take anticoagulants or who develop pulmonary emboli while on therapy may require the insertion of a filter or surgery to remove the clot.

For more information you can Google DVT or www.preventdvt. org This is a condition that needs to be taken very seriously.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains. Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net