Deep Venous Thrombosis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? Deep vein thrombosis is also called "DVT." It is a blood clot that forms inside a vein. The clot may block part or all of the blood flow. It may also break away from the vein wall and travel into the lung. DVT usually occurs in the legs or pelvis. It may also occur in other parts of the body. It is more common over 60 years of age.

Causes: A DVT may be caused by blood that pools or sits in a vein. Resting in bed for a long time after surgery or during a long illness may cause blood to pool. This may cause a blood clot to form. Sometimes the lining of a vein may be injured and a blood clot may form. You may be more likely to get a DVT if you smoke. Or you may get a DVT if other people in your family get clots. Another cause may be shooting up street drugs which injures veins. A woman who uses birth control pills and smokes may be more likely to get a DVT.

Signs and Symptoms: You may have swelling, pain, or redness in the area of the clot, such as the calf or thigh. One of your calf or thigh veins may feel hard, like a cord. You may have a fever and walking may hurt.

Do's and Don'ts: Following are ways to keep from getting blood clots.

• Move your legs as soon as possible after surgery or during long periods of bed rest.
  
  
• Exercise your legs every 1 or 2 hours while on long car or airplane trips.
  
  
• Do not smoke if you are taking birth control pills.

Care: You may be put in the hospital for tests and treatment. You may need blood thinners to thin your blood or dissolve the clots(s). The sooner you are treated the less likely you are to get a clot in your lung.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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