Are You At Risk for DVT?
Dr. Chris Pittman can determine if you are at risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot that forms in your leg vein and leads to a block in circulation. DVTs threaten nearly one million Americans yearly and often show no symptoms until it is too late. In fact, many well-known people suffer from DVTs including Serena Williams (Pro Tennis Player), Regis Philbin (TV Host), Arnold Palmer (Pro Golfer), Hillary Clinton (Politician), Richard Nixon (Politician), and Jimmy Stewart (Actor).
While DVT may sound alarming, there are many preventative measures that patients at risk of it can take to reduce the likelihood of developing it. Diagnosis of DVT can be done with an ultrasound device or another imaging machine. Additionally, a D-dimer test can also be useful in excluding the diagnosis.
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Venous thrombosis is most common in adults over age 60, but it can happen to people of any age. Blood clots may form when blood flow in your veins slows down or becomes blocked.
DVT becomes more likely if you have one or more of these risk factors:
- Being sedentary due to bed rest or sitting too long without moving, such as during travel
- Family history of blood clots
- Having a long-term (indwelling) catheter, a tube in a blood vessel
- Obesity
- Polycythemia vera, a condition that causes bone marrow to make too many blood cells
- Pregnancy or childbirth in the past six months
- Recent surgery or fractures in the hips, pelvis or legs
DVT Symptoms Include
- Throbbing or cramping pain
- Warm skin
- Red or darkened skin tone
- Swelling
