Immobility and surgery—two things commonly associated with hospitalized patients—are both risk factors for the development of a blood clot in the deep veins of the body, known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. While a DVT can occur anywhere in the body, it is most common in the leg.
A pulmonary embolism, or a clot in the lungs, is a potentially life-threatening complication of DVT. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a DVT breaks off, travels through the blood stream and lodges in the lung. One-third of pulmonary embolisms are fatal.
Blood clots are serious, but the good news is that many clots can be prevented and early diagnosis can prevent complications.
Two-thirds of all vein clots occur either in the hospital or within a few Should I be on a medication to prevent blood clots? (You may hear such blood clot prevention measures called ‘DVT prophylaxis’ by your doctor.
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