For Immediate Release — March 24, 2009
Vascular Disease Foundation warns of dangers of DVT
Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH Featured in Audio Healthcast
The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) has released a new audio HealthCast featuring special guest Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH who discusses the risk factors and triggering events for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots. More than one million Americans suffer from venous blood clots every year. Over 100,000 Americans die suddenly each year from complications of DVT leading to pulmonary embolism (PE) or blood clots in the lungs.
The Surgeon General serves as the nation’s chief health educator, by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
Dr. David Meyerson, a senior cardiologist at Johns Hopkins and a member of the VDF Scientific Advisory Board, hosts this audio HealthCast. RADM Galson covers the public health priorities of the Surgeon General before turning his attention to the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Dr. Galson released the Call to Action at the Venous Disease Coalition’s annual meeting in Washington D.C. last September. The Venous Disease Coalition is a division of the VDF.
Venous blood clots are the third most common vascular disease after heart attack and stroke, and they are often preventable. While these potentially life-threatening conditions are treatable, more education about them is needed.
“The need for education about blood clots is more important than ever. With timely treatment, these deaths can be prevented, and the quality of life for survivors can be improved,” said Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, member of the Vascular Disease Foundation board of directors and President of the Venous Disease Coalition. “We are grateful to Dr. Galson for his continued efforts to create awareness about these two preventable and treatable conditions.”
March is DVT awareness month and knowing the signs and symptoms of DVT can help prevent them and save lives. A list of signs and symptoms can be found online at www.vdf.org or www.VenousDiseaseCoalition.org.
About the Vascular Disease Foundation and Venous Disease Coalition
The Vascular Disease Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and management of vascular disease, by providing credible, science-based information. Its board of directors includes prominent physicians, nurses, vascular technologists, rehabilitation professionals, and clinical researchers who are on the forefront of fighting vascular disease. For more information, visit www.vdf.org or call 888.VDF.4INFO (888.833.4463).
The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) (www.venousdiseasecoalition.org) promotes the urgent need to make deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism a major U.S. public health priority. The VDC is an alliance of leading health professional societies and patient advocacy groups that have united around a common goal: to improve the survival rates and quality of life for individuals with, or at risk for, venous disease. The VDC is a division of the Vascular Disease Foundation.
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