March Is DVT Awareness Month!
March is Deep Vein Thrombosis awareness month - a public health awareness initiative which aims to raise awareness of the condition and it’s related complications. It’s aimed at raising awareness for both healthcare professionals and the general public.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT is a blood clot which occurs in a deep vein. Deep veins are veins which are large and surrounded by muscle in a limb. These are most common in the leg and can result in pain and discoloration, among other symptoms.
According to Independent Living, DVT affects approximately one in every 1000 people. The risk is especially important to be aware of for care professionals as the risk of developing DVT increases with age. Additional risk factors, such as blood vessel damage and staying still for long periods also affect care home residents.
Sometimes it is hard to tell if a resident may have DVT, because it can develop with very few noticeable symptoms.
However, things to look out for include:
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Pain, swelling or tenderness in one of the legs, often in or around the calf muscle (see the NHS’s example of DVT)
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Feeling a heavy ache in the affected area
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Skin that is warm to the touch in the affected area
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Red skin
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Increased pain when you raising the foot towards the knee
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Shortness of breath or chest pain can mean the thrombosis (clot) may have developed in the lungs which is a pulmonary embolism.
Did you know?
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74% of care home residents have little or no awareness of DVT
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DVT risk can increase following a stroke (Pharmacy Times)
Combatting Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT can be a dangerous condition, though treatments are available. So what can we do to prevent our residents from contracting this?
The following steps can be taken to reduce the risk of developing DVT:
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Eating a healthy, balanced diet
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Taking regular exercise
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regular movement even when chair bound
Studies have suggested that wearing compression stockings can improve blood flow and lower the chances of the development of DVT. Research collated by the Cochrane Library comparing 15 trials found that wearing compression stockings could reduce the risk of DVT by as much as 63%.
Emergency treatment
If a resident with DVT experiences breathlessness and chest pain, seek emergency assistance.
According to the NHS, a pulmonary embolism can be life threatening and requires urgent treatment.
For more information on DVT, take a look at the NHS’ and NICE resources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt/
NICE risk assessment tool - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89/resources/department-of-health-vte-risk-assessment-tool-pdf-4787149213
NICE Recommendations for DVT - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg651/chapter/1-Recommendations