Know Thrombosis: Blood clot awareness campaign returns

On October 13th it will once again be World Thrombosis Day, an opportunity for the general public and health professionals to learn about venous thromboembolism, or VTE. (October 13th is also the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, the German physician who pioneered the pathophysiology of thrombosis.)

We’ve talked a lot about DVT (deep vein thrombosis), PE (pulmonary embolism) and VTE, but it’s always helpful to learn more. For example, did you know that VTE is the leading cause of preventable hospital death, ahead of infection and pneumonia?

Take a look at the infographic below, and seek out more resources at the World Thrombosis Day site – including questions to ask your healthcare professional, risk factors for VTE, and your rights as a patient with regard to VTE.

World Thrombosis Day – October 13th

Last year we told readers about the first World Thrombosis Day. The effort continues this year with the second annual WTD scheduled to take place on October 13th (the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, the German physician who pioneered the pathophysiology of thrombosis).

The goal of this educational campaign is to raise awareness about blood clots and to reduce the number of undiagnosed cases. Community events, lectures, health fairs, and scientific meetings will help spread the word around the world about this preventable condition.

Here’s a quick review of thromboses, a.k.a. blood clots. A blood clot in a deep vein is known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. DVT can be dangerous because the high pressure in the system could cause the clot to break free from the vein wall and enter the blood stream. When that happens the DVT becomes a venous thromboembolism, or VTE. The embolism (a blood clot that has “broken free”) could then travel up through the legs, back to the heart and then to the lungs where it blocks some or all of the blood supply to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, or PE, and it can often be fatal.

To learn more about this common—and commonly overlooked—medical condition, go to www.worldthrombosisday.org. There you’ll find facts about VTE, as well as personal stories of blood clot survivors and their families.

World Thrombosis Day

October 13, 2014 is the first-ever World Thrombosis Day, a chance for people around the world to learn a little about what's more commonly known as "blood clots."

For a quick review on blood clots--what they are, how to spot them, and how to stop them--check out this article in the Bangor Daily News by Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center.

Dr. Asbjornsen also wrote a guest post for Diane Atwood's popular health blog Catching Health. There, you can learn about this man:

And listen to this conversation with Dr. Asbjornsen and two of her colleagues, on an episode of Maine Calling from earlier this year: "Advances in Treating and Detecting Blood Clots."

Finally, go to the World Thrombosis Day website to get all the facts. Reducing your risk begins by educating yourself.

DVT: symptoms to look for and step toward prevention

Last week we described what DVT is and who is at the greatest risk for getting one. Now let's look at the most common symptoms to watch out for.

In most cases, the affected area-- usually in the leg-- will be painful, swollen or tender, with a redness or discoloration of the skin. Even a muscle cramp that feels especially sharp and painful can be an indication of DVT. DVT is a medical emergency, so any symptoms should be regarded as a DVT until proven otherwise, especially if someone is in a risk category. 

It's important to note that about half of the time, DVT has no symptoms at all.

The good news is that DVT can be prevented! And because DVT can occur with little or no warning, the best action to take is prevention. Without preventive treatment, for example, up to 60 percent of patients who undergo total hip replacement surgery may develop DVT. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following tips for DVT prevention: 

• Understand your level of risk, and talk to your doctor about DVT, especially if you're in a high-risk group.
• Maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet and don’t smoke.
• Exercise regularly.
• Move around as soon as possible after surgery, illness or injury. Even passive movement helps.
• When traveling or sitting for more than four hours get up and walk around every few hours and exercise legs while sitting.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine.

To find out more about DVT symptoms and prevention, go to www.stoptheclot.org.

March is DVT Awareness Month

More than 1,240 Mainers succumb to DVT- (deep vein thrombosis) and PE-related (pulmonary embolism) deaths every year, according to the Mayo Clinic. And this estimate is likely on the low side.

In fact, the annual mortality rate of blood clots is greater than yearly deaths in the U.S. from breast cancer, AIDS and automobile accidents combined. Though most people know about these issues, DVT is still under-recognized. 

March is DVT and Blood Clot Awareness Month. It's a chance for the medical community to educate the public about a medical condition that affects approximately two million Americans annually.

All month long we'll be taking a closer look at DVT: what it is, who is at risk, and what you can do to prevent ever getting one.

So what is DVT? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep vein system. The danger is that the clot could break free from the vein wall and enter into the blood stream. The clot could then travel to the lungs and become a PE (pulmonary embolism), or to the brain and result in a stroke. DVT-related PE is the leading cause of preventable death in U.S. hospitals.

Anyone can get a DVT and at any age. Certain groups, however are at a greater risk of developing a life-threatening blood clot. 

• Those with prolonged immobility or no mobility, like patients in the hospital or on bed rest, or long-distance travelers (so-called “economy class syndrome”)
• People with blood-clotting issues, like those with a genetic disorder, or cancer patients undergoing surgical procedures
• Patients with damage to their vein walls because of surgery or injury
• Pregnant women are more susceptible to DVT because of hormonal changes
• Seniors 

This is, by no means, a complete list of risks, and it's important to remember that risk factors can be compounded. For example, combining an existing blood clot disorder with immobility can dramatically raise the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Having risk factors does not mean that you will surely get a DVT-- rather, you should be proactive about prevention.

Take this month to learn more about DVT, take an online risk assessment, and ask your physician if you may be at risk.

DVT Awareness: Reality Check

Mortality Rates For Blood Clots Are Startling. But How Focused Are We On Awareness?  

In the past decade, breast cancer awareness campaigns have grown to include their own merchandise and
even a signature color. The general public seems highly educated about this issue and that’s a good thing. But did you know that the number of deaths from blood clots in the U.S. exceeds the number of deaths from what we consider some our biggest killers?

Studies show that in the United States and United Kingdom, VTEs (Venous Thromboembolisms) kill more people than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and traffic accidents combined. A study by the Mayo Clinic estimates that more than one thousand Mainers die as a result of blood clots every year (a figure that is likely on the low side).

According to recent federal research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is estimated that venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms collectively) costs the U.S. hospital system more than $340 million per year.

Our Efforts Are Making a Difference

• In 2003, more than 50 organizations assembled in Washington, DC, to discuss the need to make DVT a national public health priority. This gathering resulted in the establishment of the Coalition to Prevent DVT, which declared March as DVT Awareness Month. Their efforts included encouraging DVT screenings, producing an educational video with mobility tips and exercises, and customizing an RV to visit hospitals and communities across the country. 

• Here in Maine, then-Governor John Baldacci, proclaimed November 2008 as “Thrombosis Awareness Month" in the state.  

• The mission of the National Blood Clot Association (NBCA), also founded in 2003, is to educate people about the danger, prevention, and treatment of blood clots and clotting disorders, and DVT awareness is a cornerstone of its work.

• In 2009, the NBCA received two program grants totaling $2.6 million over five years from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These funds support programs directed at curbing the devastating effects caused each year to over 350,000 Americans who develop a blood clot. 

Because of the efforts of these and other patient-led and professional advocacy groups, public awareness of DVT and blood clots is increasing, but it hasn’t yet reached the level of ubiquity that breast cancer awareness has.

Learn More About DVT Prevention 

If you are a patient, ask your physician about DVT prevention, or make an appointment with a vein specialist to learn about your risk and prevention techniques. Or, find out more from the following online resources:

StopTheClot.org – from The National Blood Clot Alliance
PreventDVT.org – created by Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis
OneBreath.org – from The CHEST Foundation of the ACCP
ThisIsSerious.org – information about women and DVT

Are you a Physician?

Primary care doctors are on the front lines of reducing the growing number of people suffering with symptoms of venous disease.  Vein Health News serves as a resource for well-researched meaningful information that you can pass on to your patients.

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