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Chest Pain and Blood Clots

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Tuesday, 28 January 2020

Are you currently experiencing chest pain? Head to the nearest emergency room.

You have probably had an episode of chest pain at some point in your life. Most of the time it is nothing serious. The cause of your chest pain can range from a temporary muscle strain, to esophageal reflux or to a life-threatening lung or heart conditions.

We do not recommend that you go through a checklist or an online search for self-diagnosis if you are experiencing chest pain right now. However, knowing the signs of a serious condition can help you take quick action and save you or a loved one’s life.

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Do you or a loved one have a history of venous disease or blood clots? We want you to know the signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE). Caused by a blood clot in the lungs, PE is a life threatening emergency. Head to the nearest emergency room or dial 911 if you think you or someone you love has a PE.

More Than Chest Pain: Symptoms Of A Pulmonary Embolism

In addition to sharp chest pain, PE presents suddenly, other common symptoms include:
  • rapid heartbeat,
  • shortness of breath,
  • a cough which expels pink, frothy mucus.or makes the chest pain worse.
Less common symptoms that may alert you to the presence of a PE include:
  • anxiety, or sense of impending doom,
  • excessive sweating,
  • lightheaded sensations or fainting, and
  • heart palpitations.

What Causes A Pulmonary Embolism?

Long before you have a PE with chest pain and shortness of breath, a blood clot has formed somewhere in a vein. The most likely site is in the deep veins of the legs. These clots are known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The exact number of DVTs per year is unknown since many are never diagnosed. The CDC suggests that DVT affects as many as 900,000 Americans per year. Based on these numbers, DVT is one of the most under-diagnosed conditions in the United States.

Symptoms Of A Deep Vein Thrombosis:

If you have a DVT, 50% of the time you may have ‘no symptoms.’ When symptoms do occur, they may include one or more of the following:
  • sudden, unexplained leg pain
  • difficulty walking
  • reddened skin which is tender and/or hot to the touch
If you suspect you may have a DVT, you should seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent a life threatening PE and other long term leg complications in your legs known as Post Thrombotic Syndrome.

What Happens In The Emergency Room?

Diagnosis: When you present to the ER with symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain, the most important thing you can do is ask the doctor, “How do you know I do not have a PE?” As PE symptoms are often similar to other medical incidents, such as panic attacks and heart attacks, doctors must act quickly to determine the cause and correct course of action. Blood tests, CT scans, EKG/ECG, ultrasound, and/or MRIs may be performed in addition to a physical exam and patient intake questions. Treatment: If you are diagnosed with a PE, the outcome depends on the expertise of the treatment team activated to provide your care.  Depending on the severity of the PE, the team will determine the best treatment option. If you are clinically stable, you may do well with hospitalization and blood thinners. If you are not stable, other treatments may be needed. When indicated, thrombolytics may be administered to dissolve the clots quickly. For some patients, surgery is required to remove the clot. If diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, lives can be saved. If you are diagnosed with a DVT, depending on the vein that is thrombosed and your symptoms, additional treatments may be needed. Most DVT are treated with a blood thinner.  In more serious DVT that may threaten the limb thrombolytic is used. If you cannot take blood thinners or do not respond well to them, a temporary filter may be placed (into the vena cava) known as vena cava filters.  The filter allows healthy venous blood flow while preventing clots from traveling to the lungs. It is important to remove these temporary filters once you are better to avoid long term filter complications.

Who Is At Risk For Pulmonary Embolism?

 

DVT and PE can happen to anyone, but there are circumstances which put you at a higher risk. These include:

  • Long Periods of Inactivity: If you were injured, had surgery, are put on bed rest, or simply have a desk job which keeps you inactive for long periods of time, your risk of DVT and PE increases.
  • Diseases: Cancer, heart failure, stroke, and severe infections have all been linked to DVT and PE.
  • Motherhood: Pregnancy and childbirth both contribute to blood clots. Hormonal changes and weight gain affect circulation, putting you at greater risk. Additionally, if you are on bed rest or have a c-section, your risk goes up.
  • Hormones: In addition to pregnancy hormones, hormone therapy and birth control also affect healthy circulation and are linked to DVT.
  • Age: DVT can happen at any age but it is more common in adults 70 and older.
  • Weight Gain: If you are overweight/obese, your risk of blood clots is very high.before and after varicose veins treatment
  • Smoking: If you are a smoker, it’s not just your lungs you should worry about. Circulation is negatively affected by smoking, increasing blood clot risks.
  • Previous PE Diagnosis: If you have had a PE before, you’re more likely to have one again. Preventative measures should be taken and followed to avoid future episodes.
  • History of DVT: If you have had blood clots in the deep vein, you are at a higher risk of PE. It is important to have your legs checked regularly by a specialist to catch and treat blood clots as well as prevent them.

The Link Between Varicose Veins And DVT/PE

We have long suspected a link between varicose veins and DVT/PE. This suspicion was confirmed during a recent JAMA study which showed a connection between venous disease and blood clots. While it is still unclear if varicose veins contribute to DVT or if they are simply more likely to occur under the same circumstances, we recommend routine DVT screening for patients who have venous disease.

If you have visible varicose veins, even if they do not bother you, please see us for an evaluation to protect yourself against more advanced venous disease, DVT, and PE.

My Vein Specialist Found A DVT Blood Clot In My Leg

Tony Talks About The Discovery Of His DVT Blood Clot

“While seeking treatment for my varicose veins, my vein specialist also found a DVT blood clot in my leg. Thank goodness I decided to seek help from the experts in vein care. It changed my life.”

Tips To Reduce Your Risks

Follow your doctors’ orders and these tips to protect yourself against PE.

Take blood thinners and other medications as prescribed. If you require surgery, you may need to stop taking your blood thinners to prevent blood loss during the procedure. Discuss this with your doctor before you stop taking your medications.

  • Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially while traveling.
  • Move often and stay active. If you must sit for long periods of time for work, pump your calves, flex your feet, and get up to stretch and walk every hour. If you are on bed rest, were injured, or had surgery, discuss prevention methods with your doctor.
  • Wear compression stockings. This is a good tip for everyone, even if you are not at a high risk for developing varicose veins or blood clots. However, if you are in a high risk category, it’s a good idea to wear compression hose often, even if you have no symptoms. Please wear compression while traveling, especially during long flights or road trips.
  • Do not ignore troubling symptoms. If you have mysterious leg symptoms, see a vein specialist right away. Unexplained leg pain, heaviness, itching, redness, heat, or tenderness are all signs of venous disease and blood clots. You don’t need to see varicose veins to have varicose veins.
  • See a vein specialist. Book an appointment with our team of vein specialists if you:
    • have symptoms of varicose veins or blood clots,
    • fall into one of the high-risk categories for DVT/PE, or
    • have a family history of venous disease, DVT, and/or PE.

If you have chest pain and/or shortness of breath, dial 911 or visit the emergency room.

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We Can Help

 

Reduce the risk of DVT and PE with evaluation and care at Vein Specialists of the South in Central Georgia. Choose the area’s first and only IAC Accredited Vein Center.

We will check your veins for signs of venous disease and blood clots, offer advice on ways to improve your circulation, and, when necessary, prescribe minimally invasive procedures to treat unhealthy veins.

Choose The Most Convenient Option For Vein Evaluation Below:

Over 18,000 Procedures Performed

Dr. Kenneth Harper, founder of Vein Specialists of the South, has evaluated more than 22,000 patients and performed over 18,000 procedures since 2000. Dr. Harper is a leader in comprehensive vein care, having focused on diagnosis and treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, venous ulcers, and leg swelling since 1997.

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PATIENT REVIEWS

*Individual Results May Vary

★★★★★ 5/5
Everybody was so friendly. I trust Dr. Harper. I feel like I did the right thing. I have more energy and am feeling better. I do believe that this has helped me. Go to your doctor, get a recommendation and talk with Dr. Harper and staff. Trust their recommendations and follow through with the procedure. I have nothing but good things to say and am so thankful.*
Dr. Harper and the staff are great. They make you feel extremely comfortable and they are very professional. I have had 5 procedures over the previous years and I have been very satisfied and happy with the results. I would recommend anyone who suffers with leg discomfort or varicose veins to go in for a visit.*
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Took great lengths to ensure I knew everything that was going on (before and during) and always made me feel extremely comfortable and at ease.*
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Vein Specialists of the South Macon

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Macon Location:
556 Third Street, Suite A
Macon, Georgia 31201
P: 478-216-4646
F: 478-743-1516

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151 South Houston Lake Rd
Warner Robins, Georgia 31088
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Locust Grove, GA 30248

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