Uncovering the Hidden Dangers of Deep Vein Thrombosis

As obesity increases in the United States, so does the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a larger vein -- usually in the legs or hip. Coincidence? No. Unfortunately, the two go hand-in-hand with higher levels of inactivity.

"Our less active, overweight population breeds more DVTs," says David Burnside, MD, chief medical officer at Alton Memorial Hospital. "Even using the motorized carts in the grocery stores instead of walking increases the risk of DVT. Activity and use -- even if it hurts -- are the best prevention for DVT. That's why we get patients up and moving after surgery."

DVT can lead to serious health problems. Clots in the thigh are usually more serious than those in your lower leg because they're more likely to travel to the lung. If a clot in a vein breaks off and travels through your bloodstream, it can lodge in your lung and ultimately cause death.

DVT Risk Factors:

• Low blood flow in a deep vein due to injury, surgery or immobilization
• Cancer and its treatment
• Sitting for extended periods -- long car or airplane trips
• Pregnancy and the first six weeks after giving birth
• Being over 60
• Being overweight
• Being on birth control pills or hormone therapy
• Having an inherited condition causing increased risk for clotting

Symptoms of a DVT can include leg swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg that may only be present when standing or walking; heat from the swollen or painful part of the leg, and red or discolored skin. Signs that the clot has moved to the lung -- a pulmonary embolism -- are chest pain when you take a deep breath and shortness of breath. It's important to see your doctor right away if you have signs of a DVT. If you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, call 911.

Unfortunately, only half of DVT cases cause noticeable symptoms. "Symptoms can be as minor as feeling like a leg cramp, which people just brush off," says Judy Craig, RN, team leader of performance improvement at Alton Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Burnside says there are better ways to diagnose DVT now, including using the spiral CT scanner available at the Hospital and a new blood test. Ultrasounds also may be performed.

Taking a Proactive Approach to DVT
Because DVT is on the rise, Alton Memorial Hospital is initiating a new program
to prevent DVT. Every patient admitted undergoes a risk assessment for DVT. The questionnaire grades patients' risk on a scale of one to 10. Medications to prevent DVT are recommended for any patient scoring three or more.

After the initial assessment, patients are reassessed every 10 days. "They may not have been at risk when they were admitted, but their status can change," Craig says.

"We're being very aggressive in searching for risk factors," Dr. Burnside says. "By being proactive, we'll be able to prevent more DVT. While nothing in medicine is perfect, this approach may cut the likelihood of getting a DVT by 70 percent."