Leg Pain May Be Sign of Dangerous Blood Clot

Simple leg pain can be a sign of a dangerous blood clot known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT can form in a large vein such as in a leg or the groin and can become deadly alarmingly fast if the blood clot breaks loose and moves up into the lungs where it then becomes a pulmonary embolism (PE).

To heighten awareness of the condition, the government has issued a “call to action” to educate patients and their physicians to recognize the existence of these clots before it is too late. According to acting Surgeon General Dr. Steven Galson, who announced the new campaign, “It's a silent killer. It's hard to diagnose,” and added, “I don't think most people understand that this is a serious medical problem or what can be done to prevent it.” The campaign estimates that between 350,000 and 600,000 Americans fall victim to DVTs each year with at least 100,000 of them losing their lives.

These clots can quickly claim the lives of seemingly healthy people. People simply collapse after long trip or from being confined for an extended period of time in tight or cramped quarters. An example is NBC correspondent David Bloom, who died from a DVT after spending several days in a tank while on assignment in Iraq in 2003. In addition, Vice President Cheney was a victim of a DVT after taking a long trip in 2007.

Symptoms of a DVT can include swelling, calf or other leg pain, a warm spot on the leg, red or discolored skin on the leg, shortness of breath or pain when breathing deeply, a strange cough, or fast heartbeat.

People at greatest risk of having DVTs include those who have had recent surgery, suffered a broken bone or a fall, or have been involved in a car crash. In addition, women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills or menopause hormones and persons who are immobile for long periods are also at risk. The risk increases with age, and among smokers and people who are obese. Even others have genetic conditions that increase their risk, so be sure to tell your physician if you have a relative that has suffered from a blood clot.

Although DVTs can be easily prevented and treated, patients as well as physicians often miss the signs. Studies suggest that one-third of patients who should be given blood thinners prior to major surgery do not receive them. In addition, patients are often told that their indicative symptoms are no cause for alarm. Many patients do not find their symptoms bothersome enough to report them to their physician.

To aid in the government effort, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is issuing a 12-page booklet to assist consumers in identifying their risk for DVTs and what to do about it. In addition, the agency is issuing a 60-page DVT treatment-and-prevention guide for doctors and hospitals. Regarding the guides, Galson said in a statement, “These timely, easy-to-read guides provide valuable information on preventing and treating dangerous blood clots.”

Medicare is also getting in on the prevention initiative. Starting October first, Medicare will begin withholding payment from hospitals if patients develop DVTs after knee or hip replacement surgery.

If you are at risk for a DVT, wear loose-fitting clothes and raise your legs up above heart level from time to time. You should also exercise, wear compression stockings and cut down on salt.