Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein inside the body. DVT can occur when the blood thickens, because this thickening can cause a clot to form. DVT usually occurs in the lower leg or thigh, as well as other parts of the body. A clot that forms in a deep vein may eventually break away from the original vein. When it breaks, it can spread through the body's bloodstream. We speak of embolism when the clot breaks away. Clots that break off in the thighs are more likely to cause a pulmonary embolism than other blood clots in the rest of the body. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can be caused by blood clots. This can damage your organs, most likely the lungs, and cause a person to die. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis is actually idiopathic, meaning it is unknown. In the United States, between 300,000 and 600,000 people are affected each year. About one in 100 people over the age of 80 suffer from DVT. About 60 to 100,000 Americans die from DVT. Within a month of diagnosis, about 10 to 30 percent die. It can also cause sudden death. In the general population of the United States, approximately 5 to 8 percent of people have DVT. It is estimated that around half of people affected by DVT have long-term complications. Long-term complications may include swelling, discoloration, or making the affected limb scaly. There is no prevalence in which a certain race or gender is more affected by the disease. The etiology of DVT is unknown. This could be due to various reasons. This could be physical, chemical or biological reasons. DVT can be caused by serious surgical procedures or by...... middle of paper ...... Disease control and prevention. (2012, June). Data and statistics. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/data.htmlMDGuidelines. (2014). TVP. Prognosis. Retrieved from www.mdguidelines.com/Dvt/return-to-workNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2011, October). Causes. What causes DVT? Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/Causes/htmlNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2011, October). Diagnosis. How is DVT diagnosed? Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/diagnosis.htmlNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2011, October). Treatment. How is DVT treated. Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/Treatment.htmlNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2011, October). What is? What is DVT? Retrieved from www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/dvt/