Vascular PRN President Recognizes Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month
March is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) awareness month.
Between 300,000 and 600,000 people in the U.S. are affected by DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Greg Grambor is president of Vascular PRN, a national distributor of pneumatic compression devices for the prevention of DVT. He explained what DVT is and some of its dangers.
“Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually within the legs,” Grambor said. “That can cause swelling and pain. If the clot then breaks free and lodges in another part of the body, that is called an embolism. Embolisms are very dangerous, and can be very damaging or fatal, especially if they occur in the heart, brain, or lungs.”
Pneumatic compression devices are worn on the patient’s legs and help prevent DVT. They gently and rhythmically squeeze the legs to enhance blood flow, prevent blood pooling, and reduce the risk of clotting.
“Extended immobilization and recent surgery are top risk factors for DVT,” Grambor added. “That’s why it’s so important for doctors at hospitals and nursing homes to know about the health benefits and cost effectiveness of compression therapy. But it’s also important to recognize that even an airline flight can increase the risk of DVT in the short-term due to having restricted movement for several hours. We recently began offering the Triple Play, which is perfect for travelers. This battery-operated compression device will run for 17 hours between charges, allowing uninterrupted therapy for a full day of traveling.”
Because this is DVT awareness month, it’s important for everyone – particularly those with restricted mobility – to know the warning signs of DVT. They include swelling in one or both legs; tenderness or pain in one or both legs, sometimes only upon standing or walking; discolored or red skin in the legs; visible surface veins; and leg fatigue.
“Through awareness and the widespread use of compression therapy, we can work toward a significant reduction in the incidence and complications of DVT,” Grambor said.
Vascular PRN can be reached at 800-886-4331. The company serves all 50 States.
Their web site is www.vascularprn.com.
