28/10/2021
Open Your Eyes to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when something slows or changes the blood flow. Blood thickens and clumps together.
Most deep vein blood clots occur in the lower leg or thigh, however, they can also occur in other parts of the body such as the groin and arms.
A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus. It can travel to an artery in the lungs and block blood flow. This condition is called pulmonary embolism, or PE, a very serious condition. Remember, DVT + PE = VTE.
1 in 4 people die due to causes related to blood clots
VTE is the number cause of preventable hospital death
60% of VTE occur during or after hospitalisation