–APS Noorpuri
Chandigarh: Good blood circulation is vital to a person’s overall health as it ensures that blood and oxygen continuously flow throughout the body. However, clots can form within blood vessels, thereby obstructing the blood flow. This can cause blockages affecting the heart, lungs and other organs.
To raise awareness on clots forming in the blood stream and the importance of getting a thrombosis risk assessment, World Thrombosis Day is observed on 13th October every year. The day coincides with the birthday of Rudolf Virchow, a pioneer in the pathophysiology of thrombosis.
Dr Ravul Jindal, Director, Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali, gave an insight into the causes, symptoms and risk factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis is a clot that usually occurs in the arm or leg, thereby causing severe swelling. The clot can partially or completely block blood flow through the vein. The condition can prove to be life-threatening if not treated in time.
Risk Factors
- Age:Though DVT can occur at any age, those above 60 are at a higher risk.
- Prolonged bed rest:Blood clots can form in the calves of legs if a patient is bedridden or hasn’t moved for a long time.
- Injury:Injury to blood veins or surgery can increase the risk of DVT.
- Genetics:Genetic factors or disorders, such as V Leiden, are also responsible for causing DVT as it makes the blood clot more easily.
- Unknown risk factors:Sometimes blood clots occur in veins due to no apparent underlying actors.
Signs & Symptoms
Patients suffering from DVT experience sudden onset of pain and swelling in the arm or leg. In certain serious conditions, patients may experience difficulty in breathing, which indicates that the clots from veins may have travelled to the arteries of the lungs.