What are venous thromboembolism?

The disease begins in a blood clot in a vein, usually deep veins in the legs or in the arms and other veins.

Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh, Department of Orthopedic Trauma, University Hospital of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said venous thrombosis gradually gets bigger, interferes with, obstructs blood flow, then the disease is called embolism. venous block.

About 50% of all cases share a life-threatening complication of pulmonary artery embolism. Complications occur when a blood clot in a deep vein breaks, sloughs off the vein wall, debris flows back to the heart and passes into the pulmonary artery, causing partial or complete blockage of blood flow to the lungs.

"Clots in the thighs are more fragile and go up to the lungs than the blood clots in the lower legs or other parts of the body. People with headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain, pain more often. when taking a deep breath, the heartbeat is fast, "the doctor said.

The disease usually begins in blood clots in the vein of the leg or arm.(Photo: Amar Health).

Common causes of the disease include surgery on the abdomen, pelvis or lower limb surgeries, multiple trauma, cancer, hip fractures, immobility and long hospital stay, lower limb paralysis due to spinal cord injury, advanced age, heart failure, respiratory failure, central venous lines, genetic diseases and blood diseases.

Having conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, vascular disease, frequent smoking, obesity, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone treatment, and genetic defects are factors that cause hypercoagulation. blood. This condition is more common in people over the age of 60, obesity, cancer, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, genetic causes.

Deep vein thrombosis mainly affects the large veins in the lower part of the legs and thighs, almost on one side of the body. If the patient only has venous thrombosis alone, it will cause pain, leg edema, sensitivity of the calf or thigh, red streaks, chronic ulcers of the lower leg due to nutritional disorders due to edema.

Doctors Nam Anh advises people at risk of the disease to use anticoagulants, blood thinners that help prevent the development of venous thrombosis. Patients also need to manually manipulate the lower limbs by pulling the muscles, using intravenous compression stockings, after surgery should quickly leave the bed and go back as soon as possible.

In addition, people who are obese or have previous venous disease, people who travel long distances should regularly get up and do exercises to stretch the legs by standing on tiptoe, flexing the thigh and hind legs. every 4 hours of continuous sitting.