Washington, D.C., March 11, 2005 -
The American Public Health Association is joining this month in a national effort to raise awareness among health professionals and consumers about deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a life-threatening but preventable medical condition.
Deep-vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, partially or completely blocking circulation. Pulmonary embolism, a serious complication from DVT, can occur when a fragment of a blood clot migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery. Pulmonary embolism may be responsible for as many as 200,000 deaths annually in the United States.
"Deep-vein thrombosis is an important public health problem," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "Yet surprisingly, nearly three-quarters of Americans are unaware of this potentially fatal but preventable disorder. We can reduce the risks of DVT's serious and life-threatening complications if we raise education and awareness among the public."
DVT may be caused by a variety of risk factors and triggering events, including increasing age, obesity or restricted mobility due to acute medical illness, stroke, major surgery or prolonged travel in cramped spaces. Symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling, tenderness, discoloration of the affected area and skin that is warm to the touch. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially if they fall into one of the risk categories, should immediately seek medical attention.
"With proper risk factor reduction, the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis can be reduced," said Benjamin.
DVT Awareness Month is sponsored by the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, a coalition of more than 30 organizations of which APHA is a member. For more information, visit www.preventdvt.org. To read a white paper from the Public Health Leadership Conference on Deep-Vein Thrombosis.