WASHINGTON — Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) recently introduced a resolution recognizing the month of March as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month to raise public awareness. Last night, the resolution passed the Senate with unanimous support.
“Blood clots can cause deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but they are preventable and treatable,” Grassley and Luján said in a joint statement following the resolution’s passage. “We encourage all Americans to know their own risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots, and then take the steps they need to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism by talking to a health care professional or visiting StopTheClot.org.”
“I want to thank Senators Grassley and Lujan for their bipartisan leadership raising awareness of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,” said Todd Robertson, a member of the National Blood Clot Alliance’s board of directors and resident of Des Moines, Iowa. “I am passionate about raising awareness of the risk of blood clots as someone who has suffered from six blood clots myself and experienced a close call with pulmonary embolism. It is important that all Americans know their risks and take steps to prevent and treat blood clots that can easily result in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.”
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, such as in the arm, abdomen, around the brain and most commonly in the leg. A potentially life-threatening complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), where a blood clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lung.
DVT and PE are serious but often preventable medical conditions that affect as many as 900,000 Americans each year. Oftentimes, cancer patients face DVT and PE complications. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of DVT and PE.
Iowans wanting to learn more about the signs of blood clots that could result in DVT and PE should visit StopTheClot.org, hosted by the National Blood Clot Alliance.
Read the resolution by clicking HERE.
