Most unaware of risky deep-vein thrombosis

NEW YORK, March 9 (UPI) -- Vice President Dick Cheney has had it, but most U.S. adults have never heard of deep-vein thrombosis, a survey finds.

The survey, conducted by the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, found 60 percent have not heard about this condition, which affects up to 2 million Americans each year. DVT-related complications kill up to 300,000 Americans annually.

While physicians reported they are nearly twice as likely as the general public to have heard or read about DVT, less than 25 percent of physicians surveyed said they educate their high-risk patients about DVT, and only half prescribe medication for these patients.

Nearly half fail to realize the significance of DVT risk factors such as oral contraceptives, pneumonia and cancer.

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms and partially or completely blocks blood flow inside a deep vein, typically located in the calf or thigh. If the blood clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it may block blood flow to the heart.