Could a Scan for Deep Vein Thrombosis Save your Life?
You probably don't ever think about your risk of getting Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You may not even know what the condition is. But if you were told that it kills more people each year than are killed by breast cancer or traffic accidents, you might take the time to get some information about it. And if you knew that you may be at risk for DVT but not have symptoms, you might consider the importance of getting a body scan to help determine your risk level.
The Ledger reported last week on DVT. Specifically, it reported on the case of a woman who went to her doctor because of an abnormality in a leg in her vein. She was told that it was just
varicose veins beginning to form, a natural part of
aging. But that wasn't the case. She became increasingly sick. Months later, she got a
CT Scan which showed that she had clots in her lungs. She had Deep Vein Thrombosis.
"It's the most preventable cause of death in the hospital," says Dr. Sandy Benjamin, medical director of laboratories at Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy.
You don't have to run out right this minute and get a scan to check for DVT. But you might consider making an appointment with a doctor (
find one here) to discuss your risk level for DVT. You know that you need to wear your seat belt and get a mammogram; know that you also need to think about DVT.
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