Deep Vein Thrombosis (or blood clots in the leg) is a medical condition in which the blood clots in the veins across the leg. There are many causes for DVT, the main issue is that the blood traveling upwards from your feet has a hard time reaching its destination, which causes it to clot.
The symptoms of DVT and usually clear and easy to spot on the affected leg. Pain, swelling in the affected leg, and discoloration of the affected leg are the most common experiences associated with DVT. Though what makes deep vein thrombosis very dangerous is pulmonary embolism, which is caused when DVT is left untreated for a considerable period of time.
In pulmonary embolism, a blood clot breaks from the walls of the vein and starts traveling in the bloodstream. That blood clot can cause severe damage to any organ if it reaches there, and PE can even cause death. Here are some facts that everyone should know about DVT.
1. DVT Affects People Of All Ages
Early belief dictated that people over their 40s are at the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. That is not true, DVT can affect middle and young-aged men and women. The chances of young people developing DVT are low, but they are. Sadly, the world had to find this out the hard way.
Renowned vascular expert and the founder of The Whitely Clinic Professor Mark Whitely says that becoming less active as you get older than 40s does increase your chances of DVT, but many patients they see are in their 20s and 30s.
The most probable causes for the development of DVT in young age are long-haul travel and an inactive lifestyle. Women, however, have other factors that are responsible for increasing the risk of DVT. Significant lifestyle elements that are unique to women like pregnancy and birth control affect the risk factor of developing DVT.
