March is National Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month. Why it Matters.
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
March is National Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, an initiative created 12 years ago to draw much-needed attention to a commonly occurring but often under-discussed medical condition that affects up to 600,000 people in the United States each year. Sadly, there are still so few people who are aware of DVT, also known as blood clots. This includes its risks, signs and symptoms, and life-saving prevention tips and information.
At StrideCare, we agree it is important to educate patients through critical public awareness efforts such as National Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month. While we do not treat deep vein thrombosis, we are your premier center for properly diagnosing the potentially fatal condition through diagnostic venous ultrasound or a venography. This allows us to recognize vein disease at all stages and dramatically improve our patients’ quality of life. Being educated about DVT and scheduling an appointment with a vascular specialist is the first step to overcoming this condition.
Blood Clots Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think
National Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month continues to gain steam because of the alarmingly high mortality rates associated with DVT. Up to 100,000 people die each year from blood clots that form in the deep large veins of the pelvis, legs, thighs, or arms. When blood clots form where they aren’t supposed to inside a vein or artery, blood can’t flow past the clot, causing an immediate decrease in blood circulation.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, blood clots can result in strokes, pulmonary embolism, heart attacks, and death. Deep vein thrombosis can affect anyone at any age. It can cause no pain at all until it’s too late or present with a variety of telltale symptoms ranging from swelling in the legs and feet to skin discoloration, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Some of the more common life-interrupting symptoms also include:
- Leg and foot pain, similar to a charley horse
- Burning sensations in the feet
- Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
- Legs and feet that are warm to the touch
- Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting or passing out
- Unexplained cough or coughing up blood
There isn’t a single factor that guarantees the cause of deep vein thrombosis. Just a few reasons why a blood clot may form inside a vein include:
- Vein Disease — An average of one in every three adults over the age of 45 develops some form of vein disease. But it can also affect men and women in their 20s and 30s. As we get older, our veins and arteries don’t work as well as they used to. If untreated, vein disease can lead to varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, DVT, restless leg syndrome, and other complications.
- Lack of mobility — People who are bedridden due to surgery or illness or have been sitting in a confined space such as a long car ride or plane flight can fall victim to sluggish blood flow and poor circulation. DVT can become an all-too-real concern in these situations.
- Medications — Birth control pills, painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, and other medications that promote blood clotting can cause deep vein thrombosis.
- Smoking — According to the American Heart Association, smoking damages the lining of blood vessels, leads to higher risks of vascular disease, and raises the risk of unwanted blood clots.
- Surgeries — Surgeries are necessary for many circumstances. But when those surgeries limit your ability to get up and move around, or your veins were somehow damaged during surgery, blood clots can form. Debris, tissue, and even collagen could release into your bloodstream and make the blood around those particles thicker.
- Inherited blood-clotting disorders — People with inherited conditions tend to develop blood clots before 45 years of age and without a specific cause. These same people are likely to have more than one blood clot in their lifetime.
Just a few ways to prevent deep vein thrombosis include stretching and walking around as much as possible, staying hydrated (thins the blood and decreases the chance of blood clots), knowing the symptoms of blood clots, and having regular checkups to help detect red flags before they become a bigger problem.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness and Proper Diagnosis
A key element to National Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month is to bring together leading medical, public health, and patient advocacy groups to sponsor the observance of this important initiative, increase knowledge among the medical community, and spur advancements in technology aimed at diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
At StrideCare, we employ two forms of diagnostics used to identify whether or not a patient has blood clots:
- Diagnostic Venous Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to view the circulatory system and structures of the veins underneath the skin to search for blood clots (DVT). It is typically the first exploratory option, and the process takes 45-60 minutes to complete, and there is no cutting, scarring, or anesthesia. You’ll be able to return to your normal daily activities immediately after the procedure, including work.
- Venography — This test can uncover problems with veins that venous ultrasound cannot view. With a venography, a doctor will inject an iodine-based solution into the veins to act as a contrast that can be seen easily on an x-ray. You may experience some mild bruising and tenderness, but this is normal.
Interventional radiologists like the doctors here at StrideCare understand that deep vein thrombosis is a concern for many patients. While we don’t treat blood clots, we are routinely called upon to expertly diagnose this condition and coordinate a team approach for a customized treatment plan
Let StrideCare Treat What is Causing Your Deep Vein Thrombosis
A consultation with your doctor can determine the type, severity, and location of your particular vein problem. If a diagnostic venous ultrasound doesn’t provide a clear enough picture, a venogram can uncover additional findings. The key is not to delay seeking help.
Our expert doctors and caring staff at StrideCare utilize the latest technologies and minimally invasive procedures to help our patients with a variety of vein and artery diseases. The vascular physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
