Know the Risks, Signs & Symptoms of Blood Clots

VTE Know the Risks Signs and Symptoms Infographic

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Title: Know the Risks, Signs & Symptoms of Blood Clots

Venous Thromboembolism:

Know the Risks, Signs & Symptoms of Blood Clots

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 risks and 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