Know the Lingo About Blood Clots

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot located in a deep vein, usually in a leg or arm.

• Pulmonary embolism (PE): Blood clot that has traveled from a deep vein to a lung.

DVT and PE are also known as VTE (venous thromboembolism).

Blood Clots Affect Many People

• VTE affects as many as 900,000 Americans each year.

• 3 in 10 people who have a blood clot will have another episode within 10 years.

Blood Clots Can Be Deadly

• As many as 100,000 people die of blood clots each year.

• PE is a leading cause of death in a woman during pregnancy or just after having a baby.

• Sudden death - 1 of 4 people who have a PE die without warning.

• Blood clots are a leading cause of death in people with cancer after the cancer itself.

Blood Clots Are Costly

• Blood clots cost our nation up to $10 billion each year.

• Treatment can be as much as $15,000 to $20,000 per person and often results in readmission to the hospital.

Things to Know

• Blood clots can happen to anyone.

• They are often preventable.

• Early diagnosis is critical to prevent death.

• Take action now to prevent blood clots.

• Talk with your doctor about the risks for blood clots and learn how they can be prevented.

For more information, please visit: cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/index.html

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Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection