What causes a DVT?

Blood clots occur when something slows or changes the blood flow. Blood thickens and clumps together, forming a clot in a deep vein in the body. DVTs most commonly form in the deep veins of the legs behind the knee, in the thigh or in the pelvis.

DVT Complications

Over time, a DVT can have dangerous effects on your health. These can be both short term and long term, and can sometimes be deadly.

Symptoms of a DVT

DVTs can go undetected because 50% of the time there are no symptoms at all.

MCS are an important part of acute and long-term DVT management. They alleviate pain, manage swelling, improve mobility and help in the recovery process after a DVT.

Pulmonary Embolism – a life-threatening complication of DVT

A Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a life threatening complication of a DVT. Blood clots in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus and can travel to an artery in the lungs and block blood flow. The condition where a blood clot breaks off and lodges in the lungs is referred to as Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). DVT and PE are collectively referred to as VTE.

 A VTE occurrence is very serious and must be addressed immediately. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

Since there is a lack of awareness of VTEs, people often mistake PE symptoms with those of a heart attack. A person diagnosed with a DVT, or someone at an increased risk, should contact an emergency professional or go to the nearest hospital immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

Post Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) – a long-term complication of DVT

In addition to the potential short-term complications of a VTE, patients may also develop long-term problems. This condition is known as Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS). PTS develops in up to 50% of patients diagnosed with a DVT and can severely affect a person’s quality of life. Research shows that long-term use of MCS after a DVT may reduce the incidence and severity of PTS.

DVT Prevention

Minimizing your risk factors helps to minimize your chances of getting a DVT. Talk to your doctor about your options to reduce your risk. A healthy lifestyle, staying active and wearing MCS are important interventions. Walking in combination with wearing MCS propels blood upwards against gravity toward your heart, minimizing your risk.

Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of a DVT:

• Keep moving
  • If you’re sitting for a while, don’t cross your legs, which can hamper blood flow.
  • If you’re traveling a long distance by car, stop every hour or so and walk around.
  • If you’re on a plane, stand or walk intermittently. If you can’t do that, exercise your legs while you are sitting. Try tightening and then relaxing your thighs, extending your lower legs and alternating lifting your heels and then toes.
• Make lifestyle changes – Lose weight and quit smoking.
• Exercise – Regular exercise lowers your risk of blood clots, which is especially important for people who sit a lot or travel frequently.

DVT Treatment

• Anticoagulants – DVT  is most commonly treated with anticoagulants, also called blood thinners. These drugs decrease your blood’s ability to clot. They don’t break up existing blood clots, but can prevent clots from getting bigger and reduce your risk of developing more.
• Vein Filter – Sometimes a vein filter is inserted into the vena cava, a large vein in your abdomen, to prevent clots that break loose from lodging in your lungs, causing a PE.
• Thrombolytics – If you have a more serious type of DVT or PE, or if other medications aren’t working, your doctor might prescribe drugs that break up clots quickly, called clot busters or thrombolytics.
• MCS – MCS  are an important part of DVT prevention and management and can prevent long-term pain, swelling and skin tissue changes associated with DVT.