Hillary Clinton and Blood Clots

Recent reports state that Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has a blood clot. Although I am unaware of the specifics of her case or condition, this is an important topic from a podiatry perspective. Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can develop in the leg and potentially travel to the lungs, causing a life threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism (PE). The next few blogs will focus on some causes of blood clots. The first is immobilization. Many podiatry patients have to be immobilized with hard or soft casts, walking boots, bandages, ace wraps, and walking boots. These forms of immobilization are often necessary after surgery or injury to the foot or ankle. If the calf becomes red, hot, swollen, or painful or shortness of breath develops, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department, as you may have a DVT or PE.