DVT is one of the most serious vein problems you can experience, and it can lead to major health problems. In some cases, it can be fatal. That’s why if you think you have one, you must see a doctor right away.
DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It’s estimated to affect nearly one million people each year in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What is DVT?
A deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deeply-located vein in your body, often in your leg. It happens when blood flows too slowly through your veins and causes blood cells to clumb in what is referred to as a “clot”.
Some people have no symptoms of DVT, while others have swelling, pain, and an area that is warm to the touch. If you feel you could possibly have a blood clot, it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately.
How Dangerous is DVT?
Here’s how dangerous a DVT can be: Estimates reported by the CDC are that up to 100,000 people in the U.S. die of a DVT or pulmonary embolism each year. One month after diagnosis, up to 30 percent of people will die. About one-third of people who have had a DVT incident will have another one within 10 years.
A blood clot in the leg can break loose and travel through your bloodstream where it ends up being lodged in an artery in your lungs. When this happens, it is called a pulmonary embolism, or PE, and can result in a partially or completely blocked artery. About 10 percent of individuals with DVT end up with a pulmonary embolism.
Complications of DVT
Besides being life-threatening, there are other complications of deep vein thrombosis. About 50 percent of the people who have had a DVT will have long-term consequences. These include pain, scaling, discoloration and swelling in the affected limb, and is referred to as having a postthrombotic syndrome (PTS).
These complications can occur when a blood clot remains in your arms or legs too long that they damage the associated veins or nearby valves. When valves don’t work correctly, they can allow blood to pool and flow backward away from your heart, rather than to your heart ― and requiring vein treatment.
Get Vein Problems Treatment and Help
If you suspect you have a DVT, seek immediate medical attention. If you are prone to getting blood clots, call us here at the Vein & Vascular Institute today to discuss potential treatment options for blood clots with our board-certified vascular surgeon and vein specialist, Dr. Charles L. Dietzek, D.O., FACOS.
For other non-threatening vein problems, contact us here at the Vein & Vascular Institute in NJ. to make an appointment with our expert vein doctor. We offer four convenient vein center locations across the state. Call us today at 856-309-9777 to schedule an appointment today.