Blood Clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Somewhere in January this year (2010), it was announced that the moment a patient is admitted in the hospital, he is to be checked for blood clots. This declaration followed a survey that said almost 25,000 lives are being claimed every year by DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) – which is a condition that usually affects the leg, and from there it may pass onto the lungs and affect the heart as well.

Very often, the air that is polluted is blamed for all the misgivings. This, however, is not always true. There are bigger risk factors that come into play here – age, inactivity, obesity and family history.

How And When Does DVT occur?

Clots are generally seen in the veins – the transporters of the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. Although some veins may be seen from the surface, the same cannot be held of all veins. When blood clots form in one of the deeper veins, they may not be visible. For instance, if there are blood clots (or even a single clot) is present in one of the veins of the calf muscle or the thigh, it may not be visible. It does, however, block the vein – partially or completely – and as a result of this, narrows down the flow of blood. The calf muscle area is generally the most easily affected, however, the thigh and pelvic veins could also be at the receiving end.

What Are The Methods To Find Out Whether Or Not I have A Blood Clot?

The common symptoms of DVT would include pain in the calf muscle. If you see a swelling, then it is a telling sign that a clot has occurred in the veins of that body region. The area might even seem tender to touch. If these signs are in place, check for redness at the back of your leg, right under your knee. If it feels warm as well, then chances are that a blood clot is blocking one of the veins there and diverting blood to the outer veins.

In some cases, there may not be any significant amount of symptoms. DVT generally gets diagnosed only when there is a complication the size of pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary Embolism – What Is That?

The clot is also known as an embolus. If the entire clot, or a part of it, breaks away, it might travel through the patient’s bloodstream. It generally heads for the lungs. When this process takes place, it is called pulmonary embolism.

The person may have difficulty in breathing, and it may lead to chest pains. In the case of a big embolus, there might even be the imminence of death. If an embolism goes unnoticed and undiagnosed for so long, it can get really severe and cause death. Around one in every ten people with DVT are seen to meet their end, due to a late diagnosis.