DVT: A Silent Epidemic

[Peasie]

DVT is the acronym for deep vein thrombosis. Because of SweetsSop's untimely death I wanted to learn more about this "silent epidemic." Hope the following is educational.

An awful event did take David’s life in the sand-blown heat of war, but the killer was neither an insurgent’s bullet nor mortar shell. When my telephone rang that night in April 2003, through a fog of shock and grief, I remember thinking, "What? He died of what?" I had never heard of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). And yet these unknown, unseen conditions took the life of my husband and father of my three little girls.

Along with profound loss and grief, come questions. Why did this happen? Could it have been prevented? As I learn about David’s condition, an aching truth emerges. This is preventable and treatable. There’s every reason to think my husband should be living today, had we known of this danger. Of course, nothing can change what happened. But what I can do is work to raise public and medical community awareness about David’s little known killer, DVT and PE.

I have learned that DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in a leg. A potentially fatal PE happens if the blood clot breaks loose, migrates to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches.

It has rightly been called a silent epidemic. DVT affects up to 2 million Americans per year and PE causes up to 200,000 U.S. deaths annually — more than AIDS and breast cancer combined. While some call it the "economy class syndrome," it in fact casts a far wider net.

~ Melanie Bloom, widow of NBC journalist David Bloom

[Peasie]

From the Mayo Clinic -

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain, but often occurs without any symptoms.


Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you're sitting still for a long time, such as when traveling by plane or car, or if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots.
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition because a blood clot that has formed in your vein can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism).

Symptoms


In about half of all cases, deep vein thrombosis occurs without any noticeable symptoms.

When deep vein thrombosis symptoms occur, they can include:

• [*=2]Swelling in the affected leg, including swelling in your ankle and foot.
  [*=2]Pain in your leg; this can include pain in your ankle and foot. The pain often starts in your calf and can feel like cramping or a charley horse.
  [*=2]Warmth over the affected area.
  [*=2]Changes in your skin color, such as turning pale, red or blue.

When to see a doctor

If you develop signs or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, contact your doctor for guidance.

If you develop signs or symptoms of a pulmonary embolism — a life-threatening complication of deep vein thrombosis — seek medical attention immediately.

The warning signs of a pulmonary embolism include:

• [*=2]Unexplained sudden onset of shortness of breath
  [*=2]Chest pain or discomfort that worsens when you take a deep breath or when you cough
  [*=2]Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting
  [*=2]Rapid pulse
  [*=2]Sweating
  [*=2]Coughing up blood
  [*=2]A sense of anxiety or nervousness

[CeaBee]

mostly happens because you're immobile?

or can just happen out of the blue anywhere to anyone? ahh never mind..answered my own question

Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you're sitting still for a long time, such as when traveling by plane or car, or if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots.

[Diplomat]

My doctor recommends one baby aspirin per day as a preventitive measure against clots in general.

[Peasie]

My doctor recommends one baby aspirin per day as a preventitive measure against clots in general.

There is also risk of DVT with extended airline travel.

Reducing Your Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis During Airline Travel

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), recently featured in the news as "economy class syndrome," is the formation of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs while sitting — particularly in the cramped seats of an airplane (be it economy class or first class), car, bus, or train — for long periods. You move less in tight quarters, causing circulation to decrease and allowing blood to collect and form a clot. The blood clot may cause pain and swelling in the legs. Serious, even fatal complications can occur if the blood clot breaks loose in the blood stream and travels to the heart or lungs. Older people, and those who are obese or have a family history of DVT tend to be at the highest risk.

While a blood clot can result from a number of causes, some studies suggest an association between blood clots and airplane travel. Many doctors believe this connection is simply a result of being unable to move around, and not from sitting in economy class seats or in an airplane, per se. However, it is possible that pressurized air and dehydration may also play a role in the connection between air travel and blood clots.

Many airlines have already begun to address this health issue by preparing warning pamphlets for their passengers, including articles in their in-flight magazines, posting notices on their websites, or creating in-flight videos offering exercises aimed at prevention. A member of the parliament in Australia has even called for treadmills to be installed in airplanes that carry passengers for six or more hours.

While treadmills may or may not appear on airplanes in the near future, you can address this issue on your next lengthy flight by taking a few simple measures to help prevent blood clotting.

• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing during the flight.
• Eat a small meal and drink plenty of fluids to help increase blood circulation. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these contribute to dehydration.
• Do not cross your legs while seated and make sure you adjust your position every half hour.
• You may want to wear elastic support hose to increase circulation in your legs.
• Most importantly, try to walk up and down the aisle at least once an hour. Even standing in front of your seat and gently shaking out your legs or slowly rising up on your toes can help.
• If you can’t get out of your seat, you can do the following exercises in your seat to increase blood circulation. Perform each exercise for 15 seconds, once an hour.
  • Ankle rotations: Draw a circle with your toes, rotating clockwise and then counterclockwise with both feet.
  • Foot pumps: Slowly alternate between flexing and pointing your toes.
  • Leg lifts: With your knee bent, lift your leg up off the seat and hold for a few seconds. Alternate legs.
  • Head and shoulder rotations: Gently roll your head clockwise and then counterclockwise, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Then gently roll your shoulders forwards and backwards.
  • Toe reach: Slowly bend forward and extend your arms down towards your toes and then gently sit back up.
  
  
• People who are at high risk for blood clotting due to other conditions should speak with their physician for additional advice before traveling.

Studies do not agree on how long a flight needs to be to pose a risk of blood clotting. A few studies even suggest that there is no association between blood clots and air travel. Clearly, more research is necessary. However, while we wait for a definitive answer to these questions, heeding these simple instructions may help prevent problems.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/Harchive/healthy.301.shtml

March 2001 Update

[Wendy]

The long travel was the culprit behind Tim Russert's death.
Tim_Russert.jpg
After long hours from on a trip from Rome, he collapse and died. He was literally walking down a hallway and collapsed. That is how quick a clot can take you out

Not to mention how lucky Mrs. Clinton is..this is a woman used to long hours of travel and developed a clot that luckily was caught in time.

[applepie]

mostly happens because you're immobile?

or can just happen out of the blue anywhere to anyone? ahh never mind..answered my own question

Predisposing conditions like heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes can also contribute.

[Diplomat]

From the Mayo Clinic -

...

If you develop signs or symptoms of a pulmonary embolism — a life-threatening complication of deep vein thrombosis — seek medical attention immediately.

The warning signs of a pulmonary embolism include:

• [*=2]Unexplained sudden onset of shortness of breath
  [*=2]Chest pain or discomfort that worsens when you take a deep breath or when you cough
  [*=2]Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or fainting
  [*=2]Rapid pulse
  [*=2]Sweating
  [*=2]Coughing up blood
  [*=2]A sense of anxiety or nervousness

I can't help but wonder if Sweets had any of those symptoms presenting at anytime on Tuesday. My mom's lungs was covered 70% by a clot that also traveled from her leg and it was the sudden onset of shortness of breath that caused us to rush her to the hospital. Her bed was moved right across from the nurses station and the family called to the hospital late into the night as they did not know if she would make it through to the morning but thank God, she did. Sweets' death brings back many not so nice memories and feelings for me in that regard.

BTW, while aspirin is good for preventing clots in arteries, the jury is still out on its effectiveness in doing so in veins.

[Diplomat]

Predisposing conditions like heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes can also contribute.

As well as

• [*=left]The contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which contain oestrogen can cause the blood to clot slightly more easily. Women taking 'the pill' or 'HRT' have a small increased risk of DVT.
  [*=left]People with cancer or heart failure have an increased risk of having a DVT.
  [*=left]Older people are more likely to have a DVT, particularly if you have poor mobility or have a serious illness such as cancer.
  [*=left]Pregnancy increases the risk. About 1 in 1000 pregnant women have a DVT.
  [*=left]Obesity also increases the risk of having a DVT

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Deep...Travelling.htm

[twiney]

While I was pregnant with Aden I was taking baby aspirin. I do recommend if one is taking other medication to consult your doctor before starting an aspirin regiment.

There are other things that mimic estrogen so dont start thinking it's just the ones that actually have estrogen that are culprits.

[Suesumba]

just goes to show how delicate the human body really is.