Deep vein thrombosis kills some 100,000/yr

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- All Americans should learn about and how to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, the acting U.S. surgeon general said.

Dr. Steven K. Galson, acting U.S. surgeon general, issued a call to action to reduce the number of cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the United States, which affect an estimated 350,000 to 600,000 Americans each year and contribute to at least 100,000 deaths each year.

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the lower leg or thigh. The clot can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling and skin discoloration.

In the most serious cases, deep vein thrombosis can lead to a pulmonary embolism -- when part of the blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it can block a lung artery, causing damage to the lungs or other organs from lack of oxygen.

"Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are often 'silent' conditions -- they can occur suddenly and without symptoms," Galson said in a statement. "Being hospitalized or confined to bed rest, having major surgery, suffering a trauma, or traveling for several hours can increase a person's risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism."

The call to action is available at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/index.html.