Global Compression Leader SIGVARIS Launches Educational Campaign to Increase DVT Awareness in the United States
Peachtree City, GA (PRWEB) March 06, 2014 -- A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs in approximately 2 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 at facebook.com/SIGVARISUSA throughout the month with general leg health tips appearing all year long.
Earlier this year, SIGVARIS also launched a new iPad app that gives physicians an interactive tool to show their patients an animated video of a DVT from inside the human body. This app is available in the iPad App store and is helping patients gain a better understanding of DVT.
“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: sigvarisusa.com/en/sigvaris-medical/dvt, preventdvt.org, cdc.gov, and stoptheclot.org.
About SIGVARIS
SIGVARIS® North America is part of an internationally active medical device group headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland that focuses on the development, production and distribution of medical compression garments, including hosiery and socks. With distribution in more than 60 countries on six continents, SIGVARIS is recognized as a global industry leader in the area of compression therapy for the management of chronic venous disorders. SIGVARIS product lines include: SIGVARIS MEDICAL, SIGVARIS WELL BEING and SIGVARIS SPORTS. Our U.S. manufacturing plant is located in Peachtree City, Ga. This year, SIGVARIS is celebrating its 150th Anniversary. For more information, please visit http://www.sigvarisusa.com. SIGVARIS is a registered trademark of SIGVARIS AG, CH-9014 St. Gallen/Switzerland and in many countries worldwide.
Melissa Gwozdz, Sigvaris, Inc., http://www.sigvarisusa.com, +1 770-714-9828, [email protected]
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