Chicago Vein Expert: Rise of DVT in Young Women

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which a blood clot forms within the deep leg veins, is very serious. Traditionally, blood clots are usually a concern for older individuals due to contributing increases in cholesterol, medication use, and vein tissue damage. These days, however, Chicago vascular doctors are noticing a sharp increase in the number of young people, particularly women, who are being treated for DVT and its complications.

What are the implications of the rise in instances of DVT in younger women in Chicago?

DVT is being diagnosed in more and more young patients, unlike in the past when it used to be primarily seen in people age 60 and over, according to Dr. Ramon Castro, an experienced Chicago vein expert and the medical director of Chicago Vein Care Center. The incidence of DVT is rising amid younger women due to modern lifestyle.

Other than aging, common risk factors for DVT include family history and lifestyle. Lack of physical activity, smoking, and poor diet are detrimental to your overall health by growing your waistline and contributing to many other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. These same factors can make the chance of developing blood clots even greater too.

Unfortunately, the modern American diet consists of large quantities of convenience foods such as fast food and pre-packaged, processed foods. Desk jobs, televisions, video games, and busy schedules contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. Both diet and lifestyle are adding to increases in not only chronic disease but vein issues too, including a rise in DVT risk.

Women in particular carry a greater risk for DVT due to hormonal fluctuations throughout life, including pregnancy and menopause and by taking hormone replacements and hormonal forms of birth control. The risk for developing blood clots while taking birth control increases drastically in women age 35 and over who also smoke and women who are obese at any age.

DVT can be life threatening no matter your age or gender.

If DVT isn’t treated early on, the condition can have an adverse effect on your quality of life at any age or gender. Side effects of DVT can include pain, skin discoloration, and ulcers that bleed and can be hard to heal. Additionally, DVT can lead to life threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack if not detected and treated in time. If the clot detaches from the vein wall, the clot can travel through the veins and become lodged in a vital organ such as the heart or lungs. Vein care specialists in Chicago warn that serious injury can result, including organ death, disability and death.

Seek immediate treatment for DVT.

The symptoms of DVT vary according to the severity of the condition. Symptomatic cases often present swelling, redness, and tenderness above the clot site. Sometimes people notice pain when standing or while walking. But take note–as many as half of people who develop DVT will not have any noticeable symptoms at all. In fact, many times DVT remains undetected until a more serious condition such as pulmonary embolism develops.

The good news is that DVT can be treated at our Chicago vein treatment center in much the same easy way as varicose veins. If you want to learn more about DVT or the treatments we provide at Chicago Vein Care Center, please call 773-283-7887. Dr. Ramon Castro and our professional team are dedicated to helping men and women of all ages live happier healthier lives free from vein disease including DVT.