February Heart Health Awareness: Deep Vein Thrombosis
To go along with Heart Health awareness month, we thought we would address a condition that truck drivers have a potentially high risk of occurring. It is referred to as Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood Clot).
This is a condition that is caused when a blood vessel in your body is blocked by some sort of blood that has clumped together forming a plug or clot in that vessel.
People that are forced to sit and be idle for long periods of time increases their risk. A major condition that can lead to blood clots is Atrial Fibrillation. This is when your heart ineffectively pumps blood causing it to clot easier.
Symptoms of possible Deep Vein Thrombosis:
- Swelling in one leg including ankle and foot
- A color change in skin in affected leg (pale, red, or blue)
- Noticeable warmth in affected area
- Pain in the affected leg feeling like a cramp or charley horse
If any of the symptoms persist seek medical attention. A simple blood clot in your leg could break loose traveling to your lungs causing a pulmonary embolism, causing a heart attack, or stroke.
Ways of preventing deep vein thrombosis.
- Get up and walk around as much as possible.
- Exercise your lower calf muscles by raising and lowing your heels and toes if you are unable to walk around.
- Wear compression stockings if your doctor recommends them.
- Form healthy habits by eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.
Read about a driver’s near-death experience with DVT.
Source
Mayo Clinic