Factor Five Leiden


COMPLICATIONS (Part 2)

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
Venous clots will generally form in the large deep veins of the leg. This blood clot location is called a DVT, which means a deep vein thrombosis. It will generally present itself with pain in the calf area of the leg which can feel like a pulled or strained muscle and be very painful, even at rest. It can also cause swelling due to obstruction of the outflow of venous blood from the affected vein. The skin over the affected area may become warm to touch and superficial veins may become more noticeable. There may also be tenderness to the area due to inflammation of the vein. Although, some people may have no symptoms at all. If the condition is left untreated it can cause a painful long term disability called post - phlebitic syndrome. The danger from a DVT occurs when the clot or thrombosis breaks loose or is dislodged and becomes an embolus. This means that it has now begun to travel through your blood stream, up your leg and can lead to a pulmonary embolism.

PULMONARY EMBOLISM
An embolism is defined as a foreign body in the bloodstream, formed by a clot that becomes dislodged from its original site and is carried along in the blood steam. This clot will eventually enter the heart, than be forced by the blood flow in the lung. Next, the clot will block one of the blood vessel in the lung. The size and location of the obstruction of blood flow will determine the size and severity of the pulmonary embolus. The symptoms of a PE can be different with each person although the most common are, sudden and sharp chest pains - especially when inhaling, becoming breathless, anxious with rapid breathing and a fast heart rate. Although some people have reported only a dull ache in their chest with fatigue or a feeling of anxiety while others will report no symptoms at all. This is a medical emergency. Approximately 30% of pulmonary embolism are fatal within one hour and all are debilitating as they cause long term breathing problems. [PART 3] [PART 1]