U.S Adds More on Blood Clot Risk to Some Birth Control Pills

In a recent article published by Reuters, US regulators are adding information to the labels on a popular class of birth control pills that includes Bayer AG's, Yaz, and Yasmin to show that they may raise the risk of blood clots.
  
All common birth control pills increase a woman's chances of getting potentially fatal blood clots.
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said  that some studies showed the danger may be even higher for more recent pills that contain the compound drospirenone, a synthetic hormone.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the FDA said that women should talk to their health-care professional about their risk for blood clots before deciding which birth-control method to use and that doctors should consider a woman's risk for developing a blood clot before prescribing the drugs.

Most birth-control pills contain two types of hormones, estrogen and progestin. All types of pills increase the risk of blood clots, and product labels warn of such risk.

While the risk of blood clots is low among women who take birth-control pills, the FDA said it is higher than the risk among women who aren't taking the pills. However, the risk of blood clots from pregnancy and during the postpartum period is higher than that of women taking all types of birth-control pills.

Blood clots form inside a vein and are known as deep vein thrombosis. The clots usually form in the lower leg or thigh, but can break loose and travel to other areas of the body such as the

The FDA's own study found that 10 in 10,000 women taking pills with drospirenone would get a blood clot per year, compared with about six in 10,000 women taking older contraceptives.

A clot in blood vessels can prove fatal if it breaks loose and travels to the lungs, heart or brain.

To put the risk into perspective, the FDA added that the risk of blood clots from pregnancy is even higher than any risk from birth control pills.

The announcement comes after an advisory committee of outside experts to the FDA voted in December for a label revision for pills with drospirenone, calling for clearer information about their risks and benefits.

The experts stopped short of agreeing that these pills' risks outweighed their benefits, since some studies found the pills did not increase blood clot risks.

During a December panel meeting, some women's advocacy groups called for the pills to be taken off the market, as the studies that viewed pills favorably were industry-funded.

The consumer groups and patients shared tearful stories about sudden deaths or life-changing disabilities they or their loved ones suffered from blood clots, which they believed were caused by Yaz or Yasmin.

Most common contraceptive pills combine the hormones estrogen and progestin to help block ovulation and sperm. But they also increase the chance of a woman getting blood clots compared to not taking pills, particularly as she ages.


If you or a loved one are taking Yaz, we encourage you to check with your family physician to be sure that this is the right contraceptive medication for you.

Cancer Patients at Higher Risk of Developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

It is well known within the medical community that cancer patients have an increased risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis -- blood clots that develop in deep veins in the lower extremities. Did you know that more than 90 percent of patients with cancer may be at risk for DVT?  According to the Coalition to Prevent DVT, a majority of cancer patients were not aware of the increased risk for DVT and its potentially fatal complication, pulmonary embolism. In fact, complications from deep vein thrombosis are the second leading cause of death among cancer patients.
 If you or a loved one have cancer, it is most important to discuss your potential risk of deep vein thrombosis with your healthcare provider because blood clots can be prevented.
Cancer may put you at an increased risk for blood clots because:
•    Surgery or chemotherapy may injure blood vessel walls, causing the blood to clot
•    Certain types of cancer treatments may reduce the body’s ability to produce blood clotting agents called anticoagulants
Complications from DVT blood clots kill up to 600,000 people in the U.S. each year — more than AIDS and breast cancer combined.
If you have pain and swelling in your lower extremities, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible

Travel & Deep Vein Thrombisis (DVT)

While there is no direct link between travel and deep vein thrombosis, sitting for long periods of time could put you at higher risk especially if you have additional risk factors such as cancer, congested heart failure, are over the age of 40, are obese or are a smoker.
Whether you are traveling by plane, train or car, it is important to speak with your doctor about the potential risk of DVT and other health issues before you leave for your trip.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when traveling for more than four hours you should
•    Get up and move around every two to three hours
•    Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water
•    Reduce alcohol or caffeine consumption
•    Avoid crossing legs for long periods of time

Why is March Deep Vein Thrombosis Month?

March is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month. It's no coincidence, according to The Vascular Disease Foundation, that the month selected to raise awareness about this potentially fatal disease is the only month named with an action verb. Consumers need to take action to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in the deep veins in the legs. These clots can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal deep vein thrombosis, Dr. William Julien, DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE). They can also cause permanent damage to the leg veins that result in long-term pain, swelling, change in skin color and skin ulcers.
The Vascular Disease Foundation says that DVT and pulmonary embolism affect more than 600,000 people every year. Some people experience swelling and varying levels of discomfort in the affected area, while others don't feel anything at all. The symptoms of DVT can be similar to a pulled muscle. Because some people with DVT don't have any symptoms, and because the symptoms can masquerade as a more benign ailment, there's often a delay in diagnosis. That's when DVT can be fatal. DVT/PE is the fourth leading cause of death in western society, with more fatalities than breast cancer, AIDS and traffic accidents combined.
Anyone can develop DVT. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk. Risk factors include:
• Hospitalization
• Recent major surgery or injury
• Personal or family history of a clotting disorder or DVT
• Cancer and cancer treatments
• Immobility
• Prolonged sitting when traveling
• Obesity
• Smoking
When diagnosed and treated early enough, DVT isn't always life-threatening. Risk can be reduced by:
• Knowing your risk factors
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking

South Florida Vascular Associates Opens New Location in Boynton Beach, florida

Patients Residing in Palm Beach Communities Who Suffer from Vascular Diseases Can Now be Treated at our Newest Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Endovascular Care

Dr. William Julien and South Florida Vascular Associates are proud to announce the opening of a new location in Palm Beach County. Our new office is located at 10151 Enterprise Center Blvd. Suite 204, Boynton Beach, FL.

Dr. Julien is a board certified interventional radiologist who specializes in the treatment of vascular diseases using minimally invasive, endovascular procedures with imaging guidance. Minimally invasive techniques often replace the need for traditional open surgical procedures. They are generally easier for the patient because they involve no large incisions, less traumatic on the patient, less pain and shorter recovery times.

“We are pleased to offer our unique, comprehensive, endovascular services to the people of Boynton Beach and the surrounding Palm Beach communities,” says Dr. Julien who is one of the first interventional radiology physicians in the country to have an office-based clinical practice. His 8,000 square foot office in Coconut Creek, FL. is equipped with 3 in-office endovascular suites where he performs minimally invasive endovascular procedures that are traditionally done in the hospital. Unlike vascular surgery, which treats vascular disease with open surgery, endovascular surgery is a branch of medicine that treats disease processes through the vascular system, using catheter-based image-guided techniques.

“We look forward to working with our new patients and colleagues in Palm Beach County and welcome the opportunity to work together offering the community the best medical outcome,” said Dr. Warren Swee.

For more information call 561-752-5195 or visit www.southfloridavascular.com

If you have pain and severe swelling in your leg, you might have Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis is the development of a blood clot (thrombus) in the deep veins of the legs, pelvis, or arms. Clots can form in superficial veins and in deep veins. While blood clots in superficial veins rarely cause serious problems, clots in deep veins require immediate medical evaluation. This condition can be fatal!

Dr. William Julien, medical director of South Florida Vascular Associates in Coconut Creek, Florida explains what occurs during DVT and the treatments that are available.

Statistics you should know:
DVT Effects more than 600,000 people per year. One out of every 100 cases are fatal. 600,000 people die from lung clots per year. If you think you might be risk for DVT, please take our survey and schedule an appointment if you are at high risk.

Coronary Artery Disease #1 Killer of Women: Learn How to be Proactive

According to the NIH(National Institutes of Health) although many people think of heart disease as a man's problem, women can and do get heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. It is also a leading cause of disability among women.

The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called coronary artery disease and happens slowly over time. It's the major reason people have heart attacks. Prevention is important. When plaque builds up in the body's arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis.  Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. This may limit the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.

Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body. For example, if plaque builds up in the coronary (heart) arteries, a heart attack can occur. If plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, a stroke can occur.A stroke also can occur if blood clots form in the carotid arteries. This can happen if the plaque in an artery cracks or ruptures. This can block blood flow in the artery and cause a stroke.

Carotid artery disease may not cause signs or symptoms until the carotid arteries are severely narrowed or blocked. For some people, a stroke is the first sign of the disease.

The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to get heart disease. But women of all ages should be concerned about heart disease. All women can take steps to prevent it by practicing healthy lifestyle habits. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, medicines, and medical procedures can help prevent or treat carotid artery disease and may reduce the risk of stroke.

You have the best chance for full recovery if treatment to open a blocked artery is given within 4 hours of symptom onset. The sooner treatment occurs, the better your chances of recovery.
  
See your doctor immediately if you experience:
Sudden weakness or numbness in the face or limbs, often on just one side of the body
The inability to move one or more of your limbs
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Dizziness or loss of balance
 A sudden, severe headache with no known cause