Blood clotting is a necessary function in the human body as it prevents excessive bleeding following an injury. However, blood clotting can also be deadly, as some clots form inside of the body, restricting blood flow and oxygen to vital organs. When clots prevent normal blood flow and oxygen to the brain, there is a stroke. When clots develop in the coronary arteries, a deadly heart attack can occur. Blood clots that form in the veins and travel to the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE). Find out why blood clots in lungs (PE) are so dangerous and how they are connected to venous disease and leg health.
PE (Blood Clots In Lungs) And Venous Disease
Blood clots in lungs or PE are not formed in the lungs. Rather, the blood clots form elsewhere in the body, primarily the legs. There they are known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). If these clots break free, they can travel to the lungs, causing a life threatening PE.
Recent studies have also found a link between varicose veins and DVT, though it is unclear if varicose veins are the cause or if the two conditions merely share the same risk factors.
Other factors that increase the risk of developing a DVT include:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Recent injury or surgery
- Side-effects of medications
- Weight gain and obesity
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged bed rest
- Side-effects of other medical conditions
- Prior history of blood clots
- Family history of blood clots.
Symptoms Of DVT And PE
You can learn how to recognize blood clot symptoms, and how to respond to your symptoms, with these tips. Do not wait. Seek medical attention.
If you have DVT symptoms, prompt care is important to dissolve the clot or take measures to prevent it from traveling to the lungs.
PE Or Blood Clots In Lungs Are Preventable
Our common sense Better Veins for Life® principles were designed for your leg and vein health.
Better Veins For Life® Principles
Our Better Veins for Life principles are lifestyle changes that help anyone who has venous disease or just wants to live healthier everyday. These five changes can improve your leg health and circulation, reduce leg heaviness and discomfort, and even prevent further vein damage.
Even when you follow these recommended lifestyle changes, you can still develop varicose veins, DVT and PE. Do not ignore symptoms of varicose veins, DVT or PE simply because you live a healthy, active lifestyle. Blood clots can happen to anyone.
Before A Blood Clot Develops, Treat Your Varicose Veins!
Don’t wait to get help for varicose veins. Too many of our patients waited until the pain was unbearable and the veins were large, bulging, and bleeding. By evaluating even small varicose veins or discussing leg discomfort with our team, you can prevent more painful, life threatening, and expensive care in the future.
Whether you have visible varicose veins or general leg discomfort, contact Vein Specialists of the South for an evaluation. In addition to guiding you through our recommended lifestyle changes, we offer expert medical treatment for venous disease. By treating your veins and engaging in a healthy and active lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of developing DVT and PE.
Typically, our treatments are minimally invasive and performed right in our office. No general anesthesia, hospital stay, or downtime is required, and our patients often leave with instructions to apply a simple self-adhesive bandage and take over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) to manage any discomfort.
Contact us for an evaluation or to speak with one of our team members. We are available to answer any questions or concerns you have about our evaluation process, treatments, insurance coverage, financing, and more.
