By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    magnesium water can be good for your health but you can't have too much
    Is Drinking Magnesium Water Good for Your Health?
    October 17, 2023
    common misconseptions about brain injuries
    4 Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Brain Injuries
    February 5, 2023
    get a career in medical device sales
    What Are the Benefits of Attending Medical Sales College?
    April 10, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Elective Coronary Stenting: A Case in Context
    August 3, 2011
    PSA screening: Does It or Doesn’t It?
    March 16, 2012
    Rick Perry Needs To Make Up His Mind
    September 19, 2011
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’
SpecialtiesWellness

DVT Awareness Month: What You Need to Know About the Potentially Fatal ‘Sitting Disease’

Morgan Statt
Morgan Statt
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
Know the Risk FactorsBe Wary of These Common SymptomsWhat are the Treatment Options if You Develop DVT?Final Thoughts

Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that forms in the deep vein of a person’s body, typically in the leg or arm. Although any kind of blood clot poses its own risks, those that originate in deep veins have the potential to break off and travel to major organs in the body, such as the heart and lungs. If this occurs, the dislodged clot could block blood flow and cause death if not treated in time.

DVT is a condition that can strike anyone, no matter age, gender, or race. This March during DVT Awareness Month, make it a priority to educate yourself on the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options of the ‘Sitting Disease.”

Know the Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to the development of DVT, but the main ones associated with the condition include:

More Read

A Personal Decision: Choosing to Undergo Bariatric Surgery
What To Know About The Real Cost Of Jet Lag On Your Health
Technological Breakthrough in Treatment of Sleep Apnea Offered at Leading Hospitals
Top 10 New Technologies In Dentistry
Can America’s Youth be a Focal Point for Bending Healthcare’s Cost Curve?
  • Birth Control or Hormone Therapy – Many oral contraceptives contain estrogen, which increases the levels of clotting factors present in the body. Although estrogen does not directly cause blood clots, it can increase your risk by 3-4 times, making those on birth control more susceptible to DVT.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle – Sitting for extended periods of time, whether on a long flight or during a full day at the office, can put you at risk for DVT. With sedentary habits comes sluggish blood flow throughout the body, which speaks to the condition’s ‘Sitting Disease’ nickname.
  • Smoking – In addition to the added risk of lung cancer and other health problems, smoking also constricts the linings of blood vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form.

Be Wary of These Common Symptoms

Symptoms of DVT can often mimic other muscle-related injuries, such as pulls or strains, and should be quickly addressed if discomfort doesn’t subside. Consult your doctor if you have a prolonged experience of the following:

  • Swelling of the leg, ankle, or foot along a vein
  • Cramping that starts in the calf and spreads
  • Pain or tenderness in the leg that occurs either when standing or walking
  • Warmth along the leg

What are the Treatment Options if You Develop DVT?

The most common treatment options for DVT are anticoagulants, or blood thinners, that prevent existing clots from growing and new clots from forming. Blood thinners come with an inherent risk of severe bleeding, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons associated with each anticoagulant option to determine which one is right for you.

The different blood thinners used to treat DVT include:

  • Heparin – Given intravenously by injection, this anticoagulant tends to act quicker than oral medications to thin the blood. Because of this, heparin is often given to patients in addition to an oral anticoagulant until the oral medication begins to work.
  • Coumadin (warfarin) – This oral blood thinner has been on the market since 1954 and has a long history of being prescribed to patients. While on this anticoagulant, patients must carefully monitor their diets to avoid Vitamin K, a natural antidote of the medication that reverses the blood-thinning effects. Warfarin doses are also dependent on weekly blood tests to keep your blood’s clotting abilities within normal range.
  • Xarelto (rivaroxaban) – This newer oral anticoagulant comes with the convenience factor of no diet changes or weekly blood draws, making it an appealing choice. However, the medication was approved in 2011 without an antidote to reverse its blood-thinning effects, and severe internal bleeding incidents and deaths have been attributed to the medication. Despite still being on the market, there are thousands of Xarelto lawsuits against its manufacturer. It is imperative to consider your lifestyle and weigh the serious risks to determine if this anticoagulant is your best option.

In addition to blood thinners, patients may also be advised to wear medical grade compression stockings designed to treat DVT. It is typical for patients to wear these stockings for up to two years to reduce swelling and prevent the development of more clots.

Final Thoughts

Deep-Vein Thrombosis can happen to anyone, even if you’re an active and healthy individual. Be mindful of any medications you’re taking that could make you more susceptible to blood clots, and consult your doctor if you experience even minor out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. It may be the one thing that spares you from a potentially fatal complication.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

pregnancy and health
Wellness

5 Medical Risks That Pregnant Women Need to Be Aware Of

July 17, 2013
Home HealthWellness

The Difference Between Whey Protein Isolate and Concentrate

January 3, 2020

Engaging Patients in the Advanced Practice Nurse Led Medical Home

June 24, 2012

ShopWell Helps You Make Great Choices in the Supermarket Aisle

November 17, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?