VTE : know the risks, signs & symptoms of blood clots

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Division of Blood Disorders.

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. • As many as 100,000 people die of blood clots each year. Everyone Is at Risk. Some Factors Can Increase This Risk. • Hospitalization and Surgery - One-half of blood clots occur during or soon after a hospital stay or surgery. • Being Immobile - Not moving for long periods of time (for example, extended bed rest or extended travel). Other Risk Factors • Older age • Overweight or obese • Family history of VTE • Recent or recurrent cancer • During and just after pregnancy • Estrogen-based medicine such as hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy • Injury and trauma Know the Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors DVT Symptoms • Swelling • Pain • Tenderness • Redness of the skin PE Symptoms • Difficulty breathing • Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat • Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing • Coughing up blood • Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting What You Can Do to Prevent Death or Complications of a Blood Clot • Know your risksand recognize symptoms. • If you have any symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Blood clots can be safely treated by your doctor. • Before any surgery, talk with your doctor about blood clots. • Tell your doctor if you have risk factors for blood clots. For more information, please visit: cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/index.html CS252065B vte_risk-infogr.pdf

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Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection