To make people aware regarding the implications of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Apollo Hospitals has launched a programme in Chennai.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a potentially lethal blood clot, which forms in a vein deep in the body. Such clots occur when blood turns thick and clumps together.

Most deep vein blood clots take place in the lower leg or thigh. Moreover, they can also occur in other body parts.

Dr. V Balaji, senior consultant vascular surgeon, said, “DVT occurs usually in legs without any visible symptoms and is difficult to detect and is not always recognised as having been the cause of death.”

Dr. Balaji said that DVT can damage the lungs and other organs in the body and cause death.

Dr. Balaji also said that a study has been conducted on 60,000 patients in over 32 nations.

The results of the study disclosed that approximately one of every two hospitalized patients in medical and surgical wards all through the world and in India was at risk of having DVT.

Since DVT occurs without any indications, there is not much awareness about it among doctors and patients up till now, he said.

He also revealed that though the risk of DVT is extremely high, only 17% patients in India received any prophylaxis to put a stop to it.