The Facts About Deep-Vein Thrombosis

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I'm a worrier, especially when it comes to my health, but until recently, deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) wasn't even on my top 10 list of concerns. Turns out it's time to reprioritize.

I'd heard that DVT—a blood clot in the deep veins (usually the thighs or legs)—could be fatal if it travels to your lungs, and I knew that NBC's David Bloom died from it while reporting from Iraq. But I was shocked to find out just how common it is: About 600,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized with DVT each year, and a whopping 300,000 die from pulmonary embolisms (which can occur when a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs), according to The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis. That means more people die from DVT-related complications than from breast cancer, diabetes or AIDS.

If you've ever read anything about DVT, you probably think that taking a long flight ups your risk. That's true, but don't assume you're in the clear just because you're not a frequent flyer. You're not any better off spending long hours in a car or bus, says Jennifer Mieres, MD, director of nuclear cardiology at New York University School of Medicine. It's not the mode of transportation that matters; it's being crammed up in a tight space for a long time that you have to worry about.

How to Avoid It

Fortunately, DVT is often preventable. The key: Keep moving. "Think of it like a milkshake. When it sits for too long, it gets really thick on the bottom," explains Dr. Mieres. "When you sit around for too long, blood pools in your legs, which makes blood clots more likely." In both cases, shaking it up redistributes the liquid. (I'm never going to look at a milkshake the same way again!)

"If you're on a long car or plane ride, stand up and walk around every few hours, or at least move your legs like you're pumping a brake pedal. Or draw the alphabet with your feet," says Tracy Stevens, MD, medical director of the Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City.

If you can't walk around or do exercises while in transit, consider support (compression) hose, which create gentle pressure that keeps blood from pooling in the legs. No, they're not just for old ladies with varicose veins—though if you do have varicose veins, it's a good idea to wear them. Another option: Take a baby aspirin before your trip (assuming your doc gives you the OK) to thin your blood. Drinking lots of fluids, especially water, while you're traveling is important, too.

Other Factors

Clearly, being in a confined space or cramped position for an extended period of time (whether you're traveling or on bed rest due to an illness) puts you at risk for DVT. But there many other factors—such as obesity, pregnancy, smoking and varicose veins—that can also make DVT more likely. "Using hormone therapy [for menopausal symptoms] or birth control pills is a major risk factor, especially if you combine either with nicotine," says Dr. Stevens. Before taking either of these medications, discuss your personal risk of DVT with your doctor.

Many genetic disorders can also make your blood more prone to clotting, and if you have one, your risk of DVT is significantly greater than most. Unfortunately, many people don't know they've inherited one of these disorders until they develop a clot. If anyone in your family has a clotting disorder, get screened (with a simple blood test).

Warning Signs

As with most medical conditions, prevention is only part of the battle. If it's caught early, DVT can usually be treated successfully with blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication. Some people won't have any symptoms, but you should be wary if you develop an area on your arm or leg that's red, swollen, painful, and/or warm to the touch. If you notice this, don't wait any more than 24 hours to call your doctor or go to the ER. It could be a clot that may travel to the lungs and become a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism. If that happens, you may feel short of breath, have chest pain that gets worse if you cough or breathe deeply, or get very lightheaded.

"Just as they do with with heart attacks, too many women don't take their symptoms seriously," says Dr. Mieres. "This has to be on your radar screen so you can tie the pieces together. If you recently took a long trip and a few days later you notice you're more short of breath than usual, be aware that DVT could be a culprit."