The Truth About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

This is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in a muscle. If you sit in a small space for a long time -- more than 4 hours -- you can get one. Take some simple steps to lower your chances of DVT when you buckle up for a long-distance trip: Drink lots of water, wear loose clothing, and get up often to walk around and stretch. If you’re at risk for blood clots, ask your doctor if you should take an aspirin before you travel.

Most of these clots are in the lower legs or thighs. But you can get them in your arm, pelvis, or other large veins. They can form if your blood moves too slowly, there is an obstruction to blood flow, or you have an inherited or acquired risk for clots.

About half the people with it have no symptoms. Call your doctor right away if one or both your legs are swollen, or if one leg hurts or is tender. Check and see if your legs are the same size. If one is bigger, this could be due to a clot. Another sign of DVT Is the skin in one of your legs feels warm or looks red or discolored.

There are two main kinds of clots: Those that form deep in your veins (remember the V in DVT stands for vein) and those that show up in your arteries. The ones in the arteries can cause heart attacks and strokes. DVT clots don’t, but they can be dangerous. They can move through your blood and block a blood vessel in your lungs. That’s called a pulmonary embolism, and you can die from it, so it’s important to get treatment right away.

It can happen after leg or hip surgery. That’s because the operation affects how your blood flows and clots. You’re at greatest risk for DVT for up to 10 days after. But don’t worry. Your doctor will tell you how to prevent it. He may suggest you move around as soon as you can. Or he’ll give you medicines -- blood thinners -- to help your blood move. While you're still in the hospital, you may use what's known as sequential compression devices (or SCD boots). These help maintain the proper circulation of your blood. He might also recommend compression stockings, which help keep blood from pooling in the lower leg.

If you have DVT, there’s a good chance your doctor will give you these meds. They stop clots from getting bigger and keep them from moving. They also keep clots from forming. But they don’t break them up. Most people will get better with blood thinners. Over time, the clots will dissolve and disappear.

Here’s another reason to shed those extra pounds: Obesity increases your odds of DVT. It’s better to prevent it than to treat it. If you're not active now, ask your doctor how to start an exercise program. If you smoke, ask for help kicking the habit. Get up often from your chair at work and at home, too. And take short walks. They work the leg muscles that help pump blood back toward your heart.

Guys over 50 are the most likely. Women have a higher risk of blood clots when they’re pregnant or on the pill. And people who smoke also have a significantly higher risk of DVT;