In Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), blood clot is formed in the vein. DVT can be deadly if the clot travels to lung or brain. Data collected by medical experts estimate that DVT takes more lives than AIDS, breast cancer, prostrate cancer and road accidents put together.

Apollo Hospitals has launched a programme to spread awareness about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

Senior consultant vascular surgeon Dr V Balaji 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 added that a study, done on 60,000 patients in more than 32 countries, has revealed that almost one of every two hospitalised patients in medical and surgical wards worldwide and in India was at risk of developing DVT.

He said: "The study also revealed that though the risk of DVT is very high, only 17 per cent of these patients in India, received any prophylaxis to prevent it"