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A deep vein thrombosis blood clot typically develops in the deep veins of the leg, though they can also develop in other areas of the body, such as the arm or pelvic area. When a deep vein is damaged or the blood flow is slowed or stopped for any reason, a person may develop a deep vein thrombosis blood clot. There are several reasons why a person may be at a greater risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot.
People who are older than 40 and those who are obese are more likely to develop a deep vein thrombosis blood clot at some point in their lives. The development of a deep vein thrombosis blood clot is also a risk for patients who are receiving surgery, particularly when the procedure takes longer than 30 minutes. People who experience long periods of immobility, because of travel, rest, paralysis, and similar events, are also at a higher risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot. Certain injuries and medical conditions also increase a person’s risk of developing a blood clot.
Medications that contain the hormone estrogen, like HRT and oral contraceptives, also increase a person’s risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot. This risk is so low, however, that the benefits of these treatments far outweigh the risks for many people. Recently, alarming allegations have linked the Ortho Evra birth control patch, approved in 2001, with a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis blood clot. According to a 2005 press report, women who use this medication triple their risk of developing a fatal deep vein thrombosis blood clot.
Ortho McNeil, the makers of Ortho Evra, and other medical experts have claimed that these risks are over-exaggerated. They point out that, if the news report is true, the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot is still very low for patch users. The risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot while taking oral contraceptives is one in 200,000 patients. According to the report, the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot while using the birth control patch is three in 200,000. By comparison, women who are pregnant have a 20 in 200,000 risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot.
The press report findings are alarming because several young and healthy women using the birth control patch have suffered serious injury or died while using the birth control patch. Women as young as 18 years of age have died from deep vein thrombosis blood clot related complications while using this medication. The exact link between Ortho Evra and the development of a deep vein thrombosis blood clot is still unclear. Ortho McNeil is currently investigating these reports in order to determine the risk.
Women who are using the birth control patch should be aware of the signs and symptoms of developing a deep vein thrombosis blood clot. Pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth in one leg may indicate a deep vein thrombosis blood clot. If these deep vein thrombosis blood clot symptoms are experienced, you should seek immediate medical care. If you would like to learn more about deep vein thrombosis blood clots, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can help.
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