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This site is intended for U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.
Dr. Jenice Baker, MD
ER PhysicianDr. Baker was compensated for her time
ER PhysicianDr. Baker was compensated for her time
This site is intended for U.S. residents
18 years of age or older.
18 years of age or older.
Dr. Jenice Baker, MD
ER PhysicianDr. Baker was compensated for her time
ER PhysicianDr. Baker was compensated for her time
What are DVT and PE, and
how are they related?
DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg, thigh, or pelvis, and can also occur in the arm.
A PE is a blood clot in the lungs and is the most serious condition that can be caused by DVT. This happens when a DVT clot, or part of it, breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, reducing or cutting off blood supply. This can be deadly.
WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF DVT/PE?
Symptoms of DVT,
usually in the leg, thigh,
or pelvis, can include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Redness of the skin
Symptoms of PE
can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Faster than normal or
irregular heartbeat - Coughing up blood
- Low
blood pressure, light-headedness, or fainting
When it comes to
these symptoms, contact
a doctor—this is no time to wait.
Seeking medical attention early may help reduce
the chances of DVT or PE becoming more
serious. If you have one or more of these symptoms, contact a doctor or healthcare professional.
Symptoms can also be associated with other potentially serious conditions not related to DVT/PE.
Only a healthcare professional can determine whether these symptoms indicate DVT/PE or another condition.
What are the risk factors for DVT/PE?
There are some risk factors that may increase your chances of developing DVT/PE. These include:
- Fractures
- Severe muscle injury
- Major surgery
- Immobility/limited
movement - Paralysis
- Birth control pills
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy, for up to 3 months
after giving birth - Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Cancer and its treatment
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Previous DVT/PE
- Family history of DVT/PE
- Inherited clotting disorders
- Age (risk increases as
age increases) - Obesity
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY DVT AND PE?
- According to the CDC, DVT/PE affects as many as 900,000 Americans each year
- PE can cause sudden death in about 25% of cases
Each year, as many as
900k Americans can be
affected by DVT/PE
CDC website; data from 2010
A PATIENT EXPERIENCE BEFORE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH PE
“I had shortness of breath.
Over the course of a couple weeks
I actually started coughing up blood.”
a PE patient
Some people can have
DVT and/or PE
without
experiencing any symptoms.
About 50% of people who have DVT may
not experience any symptoms at all.
HOW CAN DVT/PE BE MANAGED?
There are multiple options for managing DVT/PE blood clots and reducing the risk of them happening again. A healthcare professional will decide if you need treatment as well as duration of treatment and will work with you to determine which option may be right for you.
If you have been diagnosed with DVT/PE, talk to a healthcare professional about a prescription option.
