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