DVT affects about 2 million Americans every year. More people suffer from DVT each year than heart attack and stroke. With DVT, a thrombus (blood clot) that forms in one of the large veins either partially or completely blocks circulation. If a clot in a vein breaks off, it can travel to your lung, creating a serious, life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. Clots in the thigh are more serious than those in the lower leg because they''re more likely to travel to the lung.

Are You At Risk?
DVT can occur in anyone, but certain factors put you more at risk. And if you have several risk factors at the same time, your risk is even higher. Some risk factors include:

• Cancer

• Prior DVT

• Advanced age (over age 60)

• Acute medical illness with restricted mobility

• Inherited or acquired presdisposition to clotting

• Obesity

• Stroke

• Hospitalization

• Remaining immobile in bed after major surgery, such as joint replacement

• Pregnancy

• Long-distance travel that causes restricted mobility

• Birth control pills

• Postmenopausal hormone therapy

• Trauma

Recognize the Symptoms
DVT can occur any time in any one. Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration or redness of the affected area, and skin that is very warm to the touch. But only about half of people with DVT have any noticeable symptoms.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pain when you take a deep breath and shortness of breath. See a doctor right away if you have symptoms of DVT or pulmonary embolism. Even if you think your DVT symptoms are mild, do not wait for treatment. And do NOT massage the affected area.

Preventing DVT
To prevent DVT in the first place, especially if you''re at higher risk, take the following steps:

1. Exercise your lower leg muscles if you''re sitting for long periods of time.

2. Get out of bed and move around as soon as you can after surgery or illness.

3. If you''re overweight, make sure you exercise as much as possible. If you frequently rely on motorized carts in stores, try to walk at least some of the time.

4. Take medications to prevent clots after some types of surgery as directed by your doctor.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is taking proactive steps to prevent DVTs. The next time you check into Barnes-Jewish Hospital, expect a life-saving quiz. All patients admitted are assessed for their risk of developing DVT. Patients determined to be at high risk for DVT are typically put on medication to prevent clot formation.

Treatment Options
Medications called anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, decrease your blood''s ability to clot. They can''t break up clots that have already formed but do stop clots from getting bigger or prevent a clot from forming. Warfarin and heparin are examples of anticoagulants.

Thrombolytics quickly dissolve large blood clots that have already formed. Typically, these are only used in severe, life-threatening situations. Thrombin inhibitors also may be used to treat some types of clots and may be used in people who can''t take heparin.

Other treatments available include vena cava filters to prevent blood clots from moving from your leg vein to the lung; and graduated compression stockings for use after a blood clot to reduce chronic leg swelling due to valve damage in the leg veins.