The Importance of Treating Nonhealing Wounds
Unhealed, untreated wounds run the risk of becoming infected, which can lead to more pain, more discomfort, and more problems. Learn why it’s vital to treat nonhealing wounds as soon as possible.
Who's at Risk for DVT?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a circulatory system problem that occurs in the deep veins of your legs. Anyone who’s developed any stage of vein disease is at risk for developing this potentially life-threatening condition, but knowing your risks will help you get medical treatment at the first sign of trouble.
At Heart Vascular & Leg Center, our expert team of vascular, wound, and podiatry specialists understands how serious deep vein thrombosis can be, which is why we offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools for our patients in the Bakersfield, California, area. Here’s what you need to know about DVT, and who’s at risk for developing it.
What is vein disease?
Vein disease is a progressive circulatory system problem that affects the venous part of the circuit. Your arteries transport oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body, while your veins return deoxygenated blood back to your heart. Veins, though, have the difficult task of transporting blood against the pull of gravity. However, you body helps in two ways:
- Muscle contractions in the calf and thigh push the blood upward
- A series of one-way valves that close once the blood passes through prevent backflow
Valves, though, can become damaged by injury or even by the force of high blood pressure. Unable to close completely, the blood succumbs to gravity, flowing backward along its path and pooling around the valves. This state is known as venous insufficiency, or chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) if it’s more than a temporary problem.
CVI is readily apparent by the engorged, colored swellings that appear on the calves and thighs — varicose veins.
The connection between vein disease and DVT
Varicose veins stand out on your legs because the problem lies in the superficial veins. If blood flow remains sluggish, it can begin to affect veins deep in the leg tissue. When a clot (clump of blood) forms in one of these veins, you have deep vein thrombosis. Clots can also form if the veins become narrowed or blocked due to plaque formation; if you spend a lot of time sitting, which impedes proper circulation; or if you’re on extended bed rest..
While clots can further interfere with proper blood flow, the greater danger is if they break free from the vein wall, traveling through the bloodstream to the lungs. There, they can lodge in an airway, forming a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening condition.
Who is at risk for DVT?
In addition to having early-stage vein disease, you’re at risk for developing DVT if you:
- Are overweight or obese (increased pressure on veins)
- Have high blood pressure
- Sit or stand for long periods
- Use birth control pills or systemic hormone therapy
- Smoke (narrows veins and leads to plaque formation)
- Have medical conditions such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
- Have a catheter placed in the vein
Your risk of developing DVT also increases if the condition runs in your family or if you’re over 50.
Symptoms of DVT
According to the CDC, DVT only causes symptoms in about half the people who have it. If you have symptoms, they include:
- Leg, ankle, or foot swelling
- Calf muscle cramping
- Severe pain in the foot and ankle
- Warm, tender skin over the affected area
- Pale blue or red skin over the affected area
Symptoms that the clot has broken free and has triggered a PE include:
- Abrupt difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Chest pain that gets worse with breathing or coughing
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Coughing up blood
If you have any symptoms of a PE, call 911 or go to your local emergency room!
Treating DVT
When we develop a treatment plan following a complete medical history, physical exam, and any appropriate testing, our goal is twofold: to stop the blood clot from getting bigger, and to prevent it from breaking free. Your treatment may include:
- Blood thinning medications
- Clot busters (drugs that break up existing clots)
- Compression stockings to improve blood flow
- Surgical placement of a filter to prevent blood clots from reaching your lungs
The Heart Vascular & Leg Center physicians also perform thrombectomies, a surgical procedure that removes the blood clot from your vein and restores blood flow.
If you’re at risk of developing DVT, or if you’re already showing the signs of vein disease, it’s time to come into Heart Vascular & Leg Center for an evaluation and appropriate treatment. Give our office a call at 661-443-5524 to set one up, or book online today.
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