DVT

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Deep vein thrombosis: Prevention If vacation plans are in your future, plan ahead to stay safe on the way. [...]

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve been a runner since high school but was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during my first pregnancy, so stopped [...]

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Eleven years ago I developed deep vein thrombosis, which led to a pulmonary embolism. A vena cava filter was put in place, and I’ve been on warfarin since that time. Will I ever be able to discontinue warfarin and take aspirin instead? Would changing my diet allow me to eventually stop taking warfarin? ANSWER: This is a very common and important question for people in your situation. How long you need to continue to take warfarin depends on several factors. They include the circumstances surrounding the development of your deep vein thrombosis and whether you have had any recurrences since then. As you and your doctor consider your long-term treatment plan, your medical history and your preferences should be taken into consideration, too. Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, happens when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. DVT is a serious condition because the blood clot can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and become stuck in your lungs, blocking blood flow. This condition, called a pulmonary embolism, can be life-threatening if it is not treated right away. When a DVT results in pulmonary embolism, it is known as venous thromboembolism.

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DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother has had deep vein thrombosis twice. I’ve heard this condition can run in families. I’m a 38-year-old woman in good health. I exercise regularly and eat well. What can I do to lower my risk of developing DVT? ANSWER: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), happens when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep within the leg or pelvis. It is a serious condition because if the clot breaks free and travels to your lungs, it can be life-threatening. A variety of factors can raise your risk for these blood clots, including a family history of DVT, as well as recent surgery, hospitalization for a medical illness, trauma with or without fracture, obesity, immobility, and certain drugs. DVT most often happens in the large veins within the legs. If a clot in a vein comes loose, it can be carried through your body in the blood flowing back to your heart. From there, it may be pumped into your lungs. A clot that gets stuck in a blood vessel within the lungs — a condition known as a pulmonary embolism — causes sudden death in about 20 to 25 percent of cases.

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Kenneth Piehl describes the intense pain he felt from extensive blood clots in his legs and the [...]

In this Medical Edge Radio episode, Mayo Clinic Dr. John Heit talks about treatment options for deep vein thrombosis. To listen, click [...]