Awareness of deep vein thrombosis symptoms may save your life
If you have a leg pain – especially in the calf or the groin – Steven Galson, M.D., wants you to call your doctor right away.
Dr. Galson is the former Surgeon General of the U.S., and last year he launched a campaign to make the public more aware of the dangers of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Every year more than 100,000 Americans die due to pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by DVT blood clots that break apart and move from the leg to the lungs where blood flow is blocked. DVT can easily develop in healthy people who sit in confined, cramped quarters for long periods – most commonly on very long airline flights.
Other factors that increase the risk of DVT include:
- Recent surgery
- Injury due to a fall or car accident
- Broken bone
- Birth control pill use
- Hormone replacement therapy drug use
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Advanced age
You can find more details about DVT – including notes on dietary supplements that may help reduce DVT risk – in the e-Alert “Air Time” (10/9/03).
Source:
“Leg Pain Can Signal Deadly Blood Clot” Associated Press, 9/15/08, ap.org
