Luján, Grassley Resolution Recognizing March as DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month Passes Senate

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded the unanimous Senate passage of their resolution recognizing the month of March as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. 

“Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are serious health complications,” Grassley and Luján said. “We encourage all Americans to know their own risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots, and then take the steps they need to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism from occurring.

“I want to thank Senators Grassley and Luján for their bipartisan leadership raising awareness of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism for the second straight year,” said Des Moines resident Todd Robertson, National Blood Clot Alliance Patient Liaison and member of their Board of Directors. “I am passionate about raising awareness of the risk of blood clots as someone who has suffered from six blood clots, including a close call with pulmonary embolism and also watched my mom die sudden death due to a PE. It is important that all Americans know their risks and take steps to prevent and treat blood clots that can easily result in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.”

DVT is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, such as in the arm, abdomen, around the brain and most commonly in the leg. A potentially life-threatening complication of DVT is pulmonary embolism (PE), in which a blood clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lung.

DVT and PE are serious but often preventable medical conditions that affect as many as 900,000 Americans each year. Cancer patients often face DVT and PE complications. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of DVT and PE.

Iowans wanting to learn more about signs of blood clots that could result in DVT and PE should visit StopTheClot.org, hosted by the National Blood Clot Alliance.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.