DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is essentially a blood clot that forms in one of the deep-lying veins in the body. Blood clots can form when blood thickens or becomes clumped together, which can occur if the vein wall becomes damaged, from poor circulation or having an increased likelihood to form clots from heredity, hormones or birth control pills. Most of the deep vein blood clots form in the lower body particularly the legs, pelvic or abdominal regions, but they can also occur anywhere in the body.

A blood clot that breaks away from the vein wall and travels through the veins is known as an embolus. Emboli are particularly concerning to vascular doctors in Jackson Heights because the clot can flow through the veins and into major organs, diminishing or blocking the blood supply to the major organs such as the heart, brain or lungs. Pulmonary embolism (PE), for example, is a life-threatening blood clot lodged in the lung.

DVT is a grave medical concern in the United States, with over 250,000 patients affected each year and at least 200,000 patients are diagnosed with PE at vein centers in Jackson Heights and elsewhere. With increasing age, the likelihood of developing DVT becomes more common. Sitting for extended periods of time, particularly while traveling, being overweight and smoking also increase a person’s risk for developing DVT. The key to preventing DVT and related embolism is to understand risk and take action to change unhealthy behaviors, such as exercising, smoking cessation and losing weight.

In many cases there are no warning signs to signal that a blood clot is present, but sometimes there are recognizable symptoms, which include:

• Swelling in the affected leg
• Pain or tenderness
• A warm sensation at the affected area
• Reddish skin on the leg

When DVT is suspected, prompt medical attention is necessary to ensure the best outcome. Diagnosis and treatment for DVT are available at our vein clinic in Jackson Heights.