Three weeks after routine knee surgery in Beaverton, Ore. Stephanie Glyzewski was diagnosed with a blood clot. After days of intense pain and swelling, Glyzewski was finally able to see a doctor who discovered that the clot had lodged in her leg. This condition is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Glyzewski was nearly killed when the blood clot that had formed in her leg caused it to break free. Glyzewski was diagnosed with a second DVT just a few months after her first child was born. The complications of labor caused a fever, and the DVT was even more severe.
“DVT has changed my life forever. I can’t have any more children, I’ll be on clotting medication for the rest of my life and I have to watch my diet religiously and avoid any strenuous activity,”Glyzewski. “However, I feel extremely grateful to be alive.”
Glyzewski was a young, athletic woman who almost lost her life to DVT.
The Vascular Disease Foundation estimates that 600,000 Americans are affected each year by DVT or PE, with over 100,000 deaths. Surprisingly, DVT/PE causes more deaths per year than breast cancer, car accidents, and AIDs.
“For women, the risk of getting DVT is even higher. Pregnancy, birth control products and hormone therapies are risk factors, plus extended hospitalization, recent surgery, family history of DVT and obesity,”Suman Rathbun is a Vascular Disease Foundation MD. “Anyone can develop DVT. Young, old, athletic — it doesn’t discriminate. But the more risk factors you have, the greater the likelihood of developing DVT.”
Health organizations joined forces to create a national campaign to raise awareness about DVT, and other related issues. “This is Serious.”This multi-media campaign, which was created by the Vascular Disease Foundation and in partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is aimed at educating women about the risks they face from DVT and PE and motivating them to take preventative measures.
Doctors recommend you see a doctor if you experience symptoms or have multiple risk factors. Redness, swelling, pain, hot or warm skin are common symptoms.
These symptoms may mirror other minor aches or pains. This can lead to a delayed diagnosis that could result in a potentially fatal PE. It can be fatal, regardless of whether it is a small or large blood clot traveling to the lungs. PE can cause shortness of breath and sharp chest pains, as well as bloody coughing, which all indicate that you need immediate medical attention.
More information and support are available at www.ThisIsSerious.org.
