Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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DVT - Deep Venous Thrombosis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
DVT cannot always be prevented. Some helpful measures include:
Although the research is still inconclusive about the effects of airplane trips and other forms of travel on DVT, people can lower their risk of DVT by taking these steps:
Blood-thinning medicines can help prevent DVT. These include heparin, enoxaparin, and warfarin. Compression stockings can also be used to improve the flow of blood through the veins back up to the heart.
A recent large-scale study in Canada looked at DVT in individuals 65 years or older. The study found that statins, which are medicines used to lower cholesterol, decreased the risk of DVT by 22% in this group. While further study is recommended, the findings are encouraging.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Most patients will recover from an episode of deep venous thrombosis without long-term problems. People who have had DVT have a higher risk of getting it again. The most serious risk of DVT is a pulmonary embolus. This is a piece of the blood clot that breaks off and travels to the lung. A blood clot in the lung can cause death.
DVT may also cause chronic pain and swelling of the affected leg. There are rare cases of a stroke resulting from a DVT.
What are the risks to others?
A deep venous thrombosis is not contagious and poses no risk to others.