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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a vein condition in which a blood clot forms inside a deep vein, usually in the large veins of the lower legs or thighs. If left untreated, deep vein thrombosis can develop into a serious, or even fatal, condition. Patients at risk for DVT should therefore seek prompt medical attention. Patients who live in the San Jose, California region can take advantage of the expert care provided at South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute. This center is uniquely qualified to diagnose DVT with an accredited on-site vascular ultrasound laboratory.

If left untreated, the blood clots that form with deep vein thrombosis can dislodge and travel to the lungs. This very serious complication is known as a pulmonary embolism. In the worst-case scenario, a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, which is why vein doctors recommend immediate hospitalization if a pulmonary embolism happens.

At South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute’s expert vein clinic in California’s South Bay, vein disease treatment begins with understanding the risk factors associated with deep vein thrombosis. Dr. Kokinos and her staff help their patients learn about their individual risk factors, in order to provide a better understanding of what’s causing the disorder. There are many risk factors for developing vein diseases like deep vein thrombosis. Many of the most significant factors relate to genetics -- if a family member has suffered from a deep vein disease, the likelihood of developing the condition rises.

Inherited blood clotting disorders in general are especially problematic and may lead to deep vein thrombosis later in life.
Sedentary behavior or sitting in a car or plane for many hours is another common risk factor for DVT. Muscles that sit still for many hours a day do not circulate blood as well as active muscles. Staying active and getting regular exercise will therefore help lower this risk factor. In addition to lowering one’s risk of DVT, exercising daily also has many other benefits for vascular health, so it is a great way to help prevent vein problems. Pregnancy is another known risk factor for DVT. The reason is that pregnancy causes changes in blood flow that can stress veins in the legs and pelvis, leading to abnormalities in blood flow. Undergoing surgery, or sustaining an injury, can also increase the risk of developing deep vein
thrombosis.

Some anesthetics used in surgery can cause changes in blood vessels that make veins more prone to developing clots. In addition, during surgery, patients can be immobile for many hours, thus causing stasis of the blood in their veins. The most common procedures after which DVT is diagnosed are orthopedic or gynecologic procedures. Deep vein thrombosis can happen in the veins in the leg or in the pelvis. It has often been missed when it is the pelvic veins called the iliac veins because doctors who are not specialists in this field, like those at South Bay Vascular, do not know to look at them. More and more commonly, we are finding that an anatomic compression of the iliac vein, called May-Thurner’s syndrome, which is found in up to 30% of all people, is at the heart of a DVT that seems to not have a good cause. At South Bay Vascular center, Dr. Kokinos is a national leader in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of this problem.

Dr. Kokinos and her team, in San Jose, California, have the trustworthy expertise that patients need to treat this condition. At South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute, treating deep vein thrombosis for San Jose, CA residents is a specialty. To learn more about DVT risk factors and prevention, as well as the different types of vein treatments in San Jose, California, prospective patients can contact South Bay Vascular Center and Vein Institute