SIGVARIS Launches Educational Campaign to Increase DVT Awareness

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.(March 5, 2014)—A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs in approximately two million Americans each year. The result can be serious illness, disability and in some cases, death. The good news is that DVT is preventable and treatable, if discovered early. Because 74 percent of adults have little to no awareness of DVT, SIGVARIS is on a mission to help raise awareness in the United States. Risk factors for developing a DVT include restricted mobility, age over 40, surgery (especially orthopedic), major injury, excessive weight, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, pregnancy, taking birth control pills, cancer, frequent travel of distances more than four hours or prolonged bed rest. Clinical evidence supports the use of graduated compression stockings 15mmHg and higher to help prevent the development of DVT, so SIGVARIS is encouraging people to wear compression every day to help prevent DVT. SIGVARIS products are used for the prevention, treatment and management of DVT and related complications. Additional tips about DVT prevention can be found on the company’s Facebook page throughout the month with general leg health tips appearing all year long. “SIGVARIS became a global leader in medical-grade graduated compression by caring about the people who wear our products,” says Judith Brannan, SIGVARIS medical affairs and education manager. “This month we want to help educate as many people as possible about how to prevent a DVT.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following tips for DVT prevention: • Maintain a healthy weight, exercise, eat a healthy diet and don’t smoke • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine • Wear loose-fitting clothes • When traveling or sitting for more than four hours get up and walk around every few hours • Move around as soon as possible after surgery, illness or injury • Those at risk for DVT should talk to their doctor about graduated compression stockings and medication (anticoagulants) to prevent or treat DVT To learn more about DVT prevention, check out these educational resources: sigvaris.com, preventdvt.org, cdc.gov, and stoptheclot.org.