March is....

As I posted a few months ago, I was diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms. March is National Blood Clot Awareness Month so I wanted to share some info with you. (This is also very timely as yesterday Serena Williams was diagnosed with PEs )

Know the Facts:
350,000 to 600,000 people in the United States develop blood clots every year.

1 in 3 people diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolisms (blood clot in the lungs) die.

More Americans die annually from blood clots than breast cancer, AIDS and automobile accidents combined.


Know who is at High Risk:

Travel over 4 hours
Smoking
Hospitalization
Pregnancy
Major Surgery (abdominal, pelvic, knee or hip)
Hormonal birth control or Hormone replacement
Heart Failure
Bone fracture/cast
Overweight
Active Cancer/Chemotherapy



Know the Symptoms:

Swelling, usually in one leg
Leg pain or tenderness (Pulled muscle/Charlie horse)
Reddish/bluish skin discoloration
Leg warm to the touch
Unexplained cough
Chest pain - sharp stabbing, may get worse with deep breath
Rapid heart beat
Sudden shortness of breath

Re: March is....

Thanks for sharing the information. I never knew any of this. Hopefully this will help people..

Re: March is....

Sweetie, how are ya? Thanks for posting this topic!!!! Mary

Re: March is....

I have my moments, thanks for asking.

My lung pain has improved but I have vein damage in my arm from a clot and that is painful. Also I need to see a surgeon at the end of this month to see about removing a hematoma that developed from the blood thinner injections.

Re: March is....

thanks for the info..feel better