What everyone needs to know about life-threatening blood clots (also called VTE for Venous Thromboembolism)

• Each year about 300,000 to 600,000 Americans are affected by dangerous or even life-threatening blood clots.
• A life-threatening blood clot is the third leading vascular diagnosis, after heart attacks and strokes.

There are two types of life-threatening blood clots:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot in a deep vein in the leg. It can also occur in the arm or other large veins.
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a clot breaks free and gets to the lungs, blocking some or all of the blood supply.

A life-threatening blood clot can lead to significant health problems including death, stroke, or another blood clot.

Who is at risk? A blood clot may affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk.