Published: March 21, 2006 10:15 am            

GUEST VIEW: Becoming aware of DVT

On April 6, 2003, NBC news reporter David Bloom died of a pulmonary embolism, a complication of deep venous thrombosis (a blood clot) that started in his leg.

On June 9 of that same year, I found myself in the hospital, desperately ill due to the DVT I had developed in the popliteal vein in my left knee.

I was luckier than Bloom. I survived my DVT, but not without serious complications, several hospitalizations, surgeries and a permanent disability.

March is National DVT Awareness Month, and Bloom’s wife, Melanie, is helping spread the word about what some call a “silent killer” because it can fatally strike without warning — as in David Bloom’s case.

According to the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, DVT and pulmonary embolism together comprise one of the nation’s leading causes of death.

Statistics from the American Heart Association point out that up to two million Americans are affected annually by DVT. Of those who develop pulmonary embolism stemming from DVT, up to 200,000 die. More people die in the United States from pulmonary embolism than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

In DVT, a blood clot disrupts circulation, usually in the lower extremities. It can appear from out of nowhere, as it did in my case, and it can occur in just about anyone. If the clot moves to the lungs, death can occur.

Certain segments of the population do have a higher risk of developing DVT. Risk factors include:

n Cancer

n Certain heart or respiratory diseases

n Prior DVT

n Advanced age

n Acute medical illness with restricted mobility

n Inherited or acquired predisposition to clotting

n Obesity

n Hospitalization

n Patients undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacement, who remain immobile in bed after an operation

n Pregnancy

n Restricted mobility caused by long-distance travel

n Use of birth control pills

n Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy

n Trauma

n Dehydration

Symptoms of DVT may include pain, swelling, tenderness or redness of the affected area and skin that is warm to the touch. Some other disorders, including muscle strains, skin infections and phlebitis (inflammation of veins) also present with similar symptoms, making DVT difficult to diagnose without specific tests.

In announcing the debut of National DVT Awareness Month in February 2005, Melanie Bloom said, “My hope is that in telling David’s and my story I can help raise public awareness of this silent, insidious killer that took my husband’s life, and perhaps prevent another family from suffering the same tragedy.”

That is my hope also.

For additional information about DVT and PE, visit www.PreventDVT.org; www.DVT.net; and www.AmericanHeartAssociation.com.

Cindi Wittcop is a Royalton resident.

        

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