Education, prevention helps Bloomington man avoid serious consequences of blood clot
In September of 2010, Randy Hembree, a 50-year-old weapons instructor from Bloomington, Indiana, was working out at the gym when noticed that his left leg was swollen from calf to ankle.
Hembree said he's always had a little trouble with aching in his leg but his symptoms hadn’t been visible or severe enough to keep him from his active lifestyle. But that day at the gym changed everything for Hembree. He said soon after noticing the swelling, he found a finger-sized, hard vein poking from his ankle.
An ultrasound study of his leg confirmed his personal doctor's suspicion that he was suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT. Hembree said it was during a visit to Decatur Vein Clinic that he learned of the severity of his condition.
A DVT is a blood clot located in a deep vein system, meaning that if it breaks loose from the vein it could travel to the heart or lungs. If the clot reaches the lungs it is called a pulmonary embolus, a condition responsible for killing about 300,000 Americans every year, according to the Coalition To Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis. More Americans die from pulmonary embolus than from AIDS and breast cancer combined.
"It scared me. I've never had a broken bone. I've never had anything to stop me from living an active lifestyle. It really raised an alarm," said Hembree.
March is Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month and many physicians are joining the cause to get the word out about the potentially deadly condition. Decatur Vein Clinic Assistant Medical Director Dr. Kent Beams is among those trying to raise awareness about DVT. Dr. Beams said it should be a bigger story.
"The death rate alone should make DVT a much bigger story than it is right now. Warnings of the likelihood of developing DVT should be in the mainstream news," said Dr. Beams.
Dr. Beams said that while everyone should be aware of the symptoms of DVT, which include swelling, pain, warmth or redness, it’s especially important for high-risk people to educate themselves.
“Those most at risk for DVT include people who’ve undergone prolonged immobility such as a car or plane ride lasting over four hours, those who've recently had hip or leg surgery, those who've had cancer, those who suffer from dehydration issues, pregnant women and women on birth control," said Dr. Beams.
He added, “Anyone who suspects they may be suffering from a DVT should see their doctor immediately and request to get an ultrasound on the affected area.”
Heredity is also a contributing factor with clotting disorders, a factor that Hembree considered after recalling that his mother suffered from pain in her legs too.
"Yeah, I know her legs gave her problems but she was tough, she'd never admit it," said Hembree.
Hembree said doctors put him on blood thinners to improve the blood flow in his leg. His next move includes returning to Decatur Vein Clinic for follow-up ultrasound studies on his leg and nonsurgical laser procedures to treat his varicose veins and further improve his circulation.
Hembree, a husband and father, is looking forward to continuing his active lifestyle with peace of mind knowing that he was able to catch the DVT before the condition turned much more serious.