According to the National Institutes of Health, more than two million Americans develop deep vein thrombosis each year.
Q: What is deep vein thrombosis?
A: According to the National Institutes of Health, deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body.
Q: Where do most deep vein blood clots occur?
A: Most clots occur in the lower leg or thigh.
Q: How is it potentially dangerous?
A: A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and move through the bloodstream. If the blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition that can damage organs and even cause death.
DVT has also been shown to develop in airplane passengers. It occurs most often in people who are overweight, have poor circulation, are pregnant or have certain blood conditions. For people with poor circulation, travel compression socks can help stimulate blood flow and reduce swelling on flights. The socks' gradual compression helps stop swelling and helps guard against DVT.
