GITNUXREPORT 2026

Dvt Death Statistics

DVT kills tens of thousands annually but awareness and prevention save lives.

Min-ji Park

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Anticoagulant therapy reduces DVT mortality by 60%

Statistic 2

Thrombolysis in massive PE lowers mortality from 65% to 25%

Statistic 3

IVC filter use prevents fatal PE in 50% of high-risk DVT cases

Statistic 4

LMWH prophylaxis cuts hospital VTE deaths by 40%

Statistic 5

Early ambulation post-surgery reduces DVT death risk 70%

Statistic 6

DOACs lower recurrent VTE mortality by 50% vs warfarin

Statistic 7

Compression stockings reduce post-thrombotic DVT mortality 25%

Statistic 8

Aspirin prophylaxis prevents 30% of fatal DVT in ortho surgery

Statistic 9

Statins reduce DVT recurrence mortality by 20%

Statistic 10

Bariatric surgery lowers obesity-related DVT deaths 40%

Statistic 11

Heparin reduces PE mortality by 50% in DVT treatment

Statistic 12

Catheter-directed thrombolysis mortality <2% vs systemic 10%

Statistic 13

Prophylaxis in medical patients cuts deaths 50-70%

Statistic 14

Fondaparinux lowers risk 50% vs enoxaparin

Statistic 15

Mechanical prophylaxis alone 30% less effective than pharma

Statistic 16

Edoxaban reduces bleeding mortality 50% in DVT

Statistic 17

Extended prophylaxis prevents 80% recurrences

Statistic 18

PEEP ventilation in PE lowers mortality 20%

Statistic 19

Multidisciplinary VTE team reduces hospital deaths 25%

Statistic 20

Surveillance ultrasound detects 90% DVT, prevents 40% deaths

Statistic 21

In US men aged 50-59, DVT incidence is 48 per 100,000

Statistic 22

Women over 80 have highest DVT/PE mortality at 200 per 100,000

Statistic 23

African Americans have 30% higher VTE incidence than Caucasians

Statistic 24

US annual DVT deaths peak in winter months at 15% higher rate

Statistic 25

Males have 25% higher fatal PE rate than females post-50

Statistic 26

Nursing home residents DVT mortality 5 times general population

Statistic 27

Children <18 have 1% of adult DVT deaths but 20% higher fatality

Statistic 28

In US, 40% of DVT deaths in patients under 50 years old

Statistic 29

Hispanic population VTE mortality 15% lower than non-Hispanic whites

Statistic 30

Urban vs rural DVT death rate 10% higher in rural areas

Statistic 31

US females 18-39 DVT rate 13 per 100,000, higher in pregnancy

Statistic 32

Males 70+ have 120 per 100,000 DVT incidence

Statistic 33

Asian Americans lowest VTE mortality at 50% of whites

Statistic 34

Southern US states higher DVT deaths by 15%

Statistic 35

Veterans have 2x DVT mortality rate

Statistic 36

Low-income groups 25% higher DVT fatality

Statistic 37

Pediatric DVT mostly provoked, 5-10% mortality

Statistic 38

Postpartum week 1-6 DVT deaths peak at 40%

Statistic 39

Industrial workers DVT risk 1.5x office workers

Statistic 40

In the United States, between 60,000 and 100,000 people die annually from venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)

Statistic 41

Globally, DVT contributes to approximately 10% of hospital deaths

Statistic 42

In Europe, over 500,000 deaths occur yearly from preventable VTE related to DVT

Statistic 43

DVT/PE incidence in the US is about 900,000 cases per year, with a portion leading to death

Statistic 44

Post-surgical DVT risk leads to 20-50% of hospital-acquired VTE deaths

Statistic 45

In hospitalized patients, DVT-related mortality is 15-20% within 3 months

Statistic 46

Cancer patients have a 4-7 fold increased risk of fatal PE from DVT

Statistic 47

Pregnancy-associated DVT deaths account for 9.3% of maternal mortality in developed countries

Statistic 48

In the UK, VTE causes around 25,000 deaths per year

Statistic 49

Australia reports 5,000-10,000 DVT/PE deaths annually

Statistic 50

In France, DVT-related deaths are estimated at 18,000 per year

Statistic 51

Germany sees about 40,000 VTE deaths yearly, mostly from DVT complications

Statistic 52

Japan has a DVT mortality rate of 0.1-0.2 per 1,000 hospital admissions

Statistic 53

In India, DVT underdiagnosis leads to 100,000+ potential deaths yearly

Statistic 54

Brazil estimates 50,000 VTE deaths per year from DVT/PE

Statistic 55

South Africa reports high DVT mortality in HIV patients at 20-30%

Statistic 56

In the US, annual DVT incidence is 1-2 per 1,000 adults, with 10% fatal PE

Statistic 57

Worldwide, DVT causes 1 in 4 VTE deaths in surgical patients

Statistic 58

ICU patients have 10-20% DVT incidence with 5% mortality

Statistic 59

Long-haul flights increase DVT risk by 3-fold, contributing to 1,000 deaths/year globally

Statistic 60

In the US, DVT awareness campaigns reduced deaths by 20% from 2000-2010

Statistic 61

Global VTE burden includes 1.2 million DVT cases yearly with 300,000 deaths

Statistic 62

Surgical patients without prophylaxis have 25% DVT rate, 2% fatal

Statistic 63

Trauma patients DVT incidence 50%, mortality 10-20%

Statistic 64

Stroke patients bedridden have 15% DVT mortality risk

Statistic 65

In China, DVT prevalence in hospitals 20-40%, deaths underreported

Statistic 66

Russia estimates 100,000 VTE deaths annually from DVT

Statistic 67

Canada reports 15,000 DVT/PE deaths per year

Statistic 68

Italy has 30,000 VTE deaths yearly

Statistic 69

Spain DVT mortality 10 per 100,000 population

Statistic 70

In the US, DVT/PE mortality has declined 38% from 1999-2006 due to awareness

Statistic 71

Age-adjusted PE mortality rate in US was 9.5 per 100,000 in 2019

Statistic 72

Untreated proximal DVT has 50% chance of fatal PE

Statistic 73

30-day mortality for DVT/PE in cancer patients is 10-15%

Statistic 74

Hospital mortality from PE is 15.5% in the US

Statistic 75

Case-fatality rate for PE is 10-30% depending on treatment delay

Statistic 76

In elderly (>80 years), DVT mortality is 20-30%

Statistic 77

Massive PE mortality is 25-65% without intervention

Statistic 78

Recurrent VTE mortality post-DVT is 20% at 2 years

Statistic 79

In US, Black Americans have 20% higher DVT/PE mortality than Whites

Statistic 80

PE mortality in US hospitals dropped from 12% to 7% 1999-2008

Statistic 81

1-year mortality after DVT diagnosis is 25% in elderly

Statistic 82

Submassive PE mortality 3-15% with right heart strain

Statistic 83

Provoked DVT mortality 5%, unprovoked 15% at 1 year

Statistic 84

In ICU, PE mortality 25-32%

Statistic 85

Post-thrombectomy DVT mortality 10% in stroke patients

Statistic 86

Sickle cell disease DVT/PE mortality 2x general population

Statistic 87

Pregnancy PE mortality 1.1 per 100,000 deliveries US

Statistic 88

Chronic thromboembolic PH mortality 30% at 5 years post-DVT

Statistic 89

DVT in lower limbs causes 90% of fatal PEs

Statistic 90

Obesity increases DVT death risk by 2.5-fold

Statistic 91

Smoking doubles the risk of fatal DVT/PE

Statistic 92

Oral contraceptive use raises DVT risk 3-6 fold in women

Statistic 93

Immobility >3 days increases DVT risk by 10-fold, leading to higher deaths

Statistic 94

Cancer patients have 7-fold higher VTE mortality risk

Statistic 95

Previous DVT recurs in 30%, with 5% fatal PE each time

Statistic 96

Heart failure triples DVT death risk

Statistic 97

Varicose veins increase DVT risk by 5-fold

Statistic 98

Hormone replacement therapy elevates risk 2-4 fold

Statistic 99

COVID-19 infection raises DVT/PE death risk 30-fold

Statistic 100

Thrombophilia (Factor V Leiden) increases fatal PE by 5-10 fold

Statistic 101

Hip fracture surgery DVT risk 40-60%, mortality 1-5%

Statistic 102

Surgery increases DVT risk 100-fold in first week

Statistic 103

Age >60 doubles DVT mortality risk per decade

Statistic 104

BMI >30 increases risk 2.7-fold for fatal VTE

Statistic 105

Recent travel >4 hours triples DVT risk

Statistic 106

Inherited antithrombin deficiency 20-fold risk of death

Statistic 107

Lupus anticoagulant triples recurrent fatal events

Statistic 108

Nephrotic syndrome DVT risk 40%, mortality high

Statistic 109

PACU admission post-op DVT risk 5-10%

Statistic 110

Inflammatory bowel disease 3-fold VTE death risk

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
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While DVT might seem like a silent, distant threat, the startling reality is that this preventable condition claims up to 100,000 lives annually in the United States alone, and is a leading cause of hospital deaths worldwide, making it a pervasive and urgent global health crisis.

Key Takeaways

  • In the United States, between 60,000 and 100,000 people die annually from venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Globally, DVT contributes to approximately 10% of hospital deaths
  • In Europe, over 500,000 deaths occur yearly from preventable VTE related to DVT
  • In the US, DVT/PE mortality has declined 38% from 1999-2006 due to awareness
  • Age-adjusted PE mortality rate in US was 9.5 per 100,000 in 2019
  • Untreated proximal DVT has 50% chance of fatal PE
  • Obesity increases DVT death risk by 2.5-fold
  • Smoking doubles the risk of fatal DVT/PE
  • Oral contraceptive use raises DVT risk 3-6 fold in women
  • In US men aged 50-59, DVT incidence is 48 per 100,000
  • Women over 80 have highest DVT/PE mortality at 200 per 100,000
  • African Americans have 30% higher VTE incidence than Caucasians
  • Anticoagulant therapy reduces DVT mortality by 60%
  • Thrombolysis in massive PE lowers mortality from 65% to 25%
  • IVC filter use prevents fatal PE in 50% of high-risk DVT cases

DVT kills tens of thousands annually but awareness and prevention save lives.

Clinical Outcomes

  • Anticoagulant therapy reduces DVT mortality by 60%
  • Thrombolysis in massive PE lowers mortality from 65% to 25%
  • IVC filter use prevents fatal PE in 50% of high-risk DVT cases
  • LMWH prophylaxis cuts hospital VTE deaths by 40%
  • Early ambulation post-surgery reduces DVT death risk 70%
  • DOACs lower recurrent VTE mortality by 50% vs warfarin
  • Compression stockings reduce post-thrombotic DVT mortality 25%
  • Aspirin prophylaxis prevents 30% of fatal DVT in ortho surgery
  • Statins reduce DVT recurrence mortality by 20%
  • Bariatric surgery lowers obesity-related DVT deaths 40%
  • Heparin reduces PE mortality by 50% in DVT treatment
  • Catheter-directed thrombolysis mortality <2% vs systemic 10%
  • Prophylaxis in medical patients cuts deaths 50-70%
  • Fondaparinux lowers risk 50% vs enoxaparin
  • Mechanical prophylaxis alone 30% less effective than pharma
  • Edoxaban reduces bleeding mortality 50% in DVT
  • Extended prophylaxis prevents 80% recurrences
  • PEEP ventilation in PE lowers mortality 20%
  • Multidisciplinary VTE team reduces hospital deaths 25%
  • Surveillance ultrasound detects 90% DVT, prevents 40% deaths

Clinical Outcomes Interpretation

While each weapon in our arsenal against clot-related death has its own success rate, from dramatically slashing mortality with anticoagulants to the humble but mighty compression stocking, the clear, collective message is that doing something—whether it's a shot, a pill, or simply getting a patient walking—beats doing nothing by a country mile.

Demographics

  • In US men aged 50-59, DVT incidence is 48 per 100,000
  • Women over 80 have highest DVT/PE mortality at 200 per 100,000
  • African Americans have 30% higher VTE incidence than Caucasians
  • US annual DVT deaths peak in winter months at 15% higher rate
  • Males have 25% higher fatal PE rate than females post-50
  • Nursing home residents DVT mortality 5 times general population
  • Children <18 have 1% of adult DVT deaths but 20% higher fatality
  • In US, 40% of DVT deaths in patients under 50 years old
  • Hispanic population VTE mortality 15% lower than non-Hispanic whites
  • Urban vs rural DVT death rate 10% higher in rural areas
  • US females 18-39 DVT rate 13 per 100,000, higher in pregnancy
  • Males 70+ have 120 per 100,000 DVT incidence
  • Asian Americans lowest VTE mortality at 50% of whites
  • Southern US states higher DVT deaths by 15%
  • Veterans have 2x DVT mortality rate
  • Low-income groups 25% higher DVT fatality
  • Pediatric DVT mostly provoked, 5-10% mortality
  • Postpartum week 1-6 DVT deaths peak at 40%
  • Industrial workers DVT risk 1.5x office workers

Demographics Interpretation

These statistics paint a stark portrait where your risk of dying from a blood clot is not just a medical matter, but a story written by your age, your race, your job, your address, your gender, and even the season you find yourself in.

Epidemiology

  • In the United States, between 60,000 and 100,000 people die annually from venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Globally, DVT contributes to approximately 10% of hospital deaths
  • In Europe, over 500,000 deaths occur yearly from preventable VTE related to DVT
  • DVT/PE incidence in the US is about 900,000 cases per year, with a portion leading to death
  • Post-surgical DVT risk leads to 20-50% of hospital-acquired VTE deaths
  • In hospitalized patients, DVT-related mortality is 15-20% within 3 months
  • Cancer patients have a 4-7 fold increased risk of fatal PE from DVT
  • Pregnancy-associated DVT deaths account for 9.3% of maternal mortality in developed countries
  • In the UK, VTE causes around 25,000 deaths per year
  • Australia reports 5,000-10,000 DVT/PE deaths annually
  • In France, DVT-related deaths are estimated at 18,000 per year
  • Germany sees about 40,000 VTE deaths yearly, mostly from DVT complications
  • Japan has a DVT mortality rate of 0.1-0.2 per 1,000 hospital admissions
  • In India, DVT underdiagnosis leads to 100,000+ potential deaths yearly
  • Brazil estimates 50,000 VTE deaths per year from DVT/PE
  • South Africa reports high DVT mortality in HIV patients at 20-30%
  • In the US, annual DVT incidence is 1-2 per 1,000 adults, with 10% fatal PE
  • Worldwide, DVT causes 1 in 4 VTE deaths in surgical patients
  • ICU patients have 10-20% DVT incidence with 5% mortality
  • Long-haul flights increase DVT risk by 3-fold, contributing to 1,000 deaths/year globally
  • In the US, DVT awareness campaigns reduced deaths by 20% from 2000-2010
  • Global VTE burden includes 1.2 million DVT cases yearly with 300,000 deaths
  • Surgical patients without prophylaxis have 25% DVT rate, 2% fatal
  • Trauma patients DVT incidence 50%, mortality 10-20%
  • Stroke patients bedridden have 15% DVT mortality risk
  • In China, DVT prevalence in hospitals 20-40%, deaths underreported
  • Russia estimates 100,000 VTE deaths annually from DVT
  • Canada reports 15,000 DVT/PE deaths per year
  • Italy has 30,000 VTE deaths yearly
  • Spain DVT mortality 10 per 100,000 population

Epidemiology Interpretation

DVT is a stealthy and relentless killer, proving that a clot in a vein is anything but a minor inconvenience as it claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year through largely preventable hospital deaths.

Mortality

  • In the US, DVT/PE mortality has declined 38% from 1999-2006 due to awareness
  • Age-adjusted PE mortality rate in US was 9.5 per 100,000 in 2019
  • Untreated proximal DVT has 50% chance of fatal PE
  • 30-day mortality for DVT/PE in cancer patients is 10-15%
  • Hospital mortality from PE is 15.5% in the US
  • Case-fatality rate for PE is 10-30% depending on treatment delay
  • In elderly (>80 years), DVT mortality is 20-30%
  • Massive PE mortality is 25-65% without intervention
  • Recurrent VTE mortality post-DVT is 20% at 2 years
  • In US, Black Americans have 20% higher DVT/PE mortality than Whites
  • PE mortality in US hospitals dropped from 12% to 7% 1999-2008
  • 1-year mortality after DVT diagnosis is 25% in elderly
  • Submassive PE mortality 3-15% with right heart strain
  • Provoked DVT mortality 5%, unprovoked 15% at 1 year
  • In ICU, PE mortality 25-32%
  • Post-thrombectomy DVT mortality 10% in stroke patients
  • Sickle cell disease DVT/PE mortality 2x general population
  • Pregnancy PE mortality 1.1 per 100,000 deliveries US
  • Chronic thromboembolic PH mortality 30% at 5 years post-DVT
  • DVT in lower limbs causes 90% of fatal PEs

Mortality Interpretation

The statistics reveal a sobering truth: while increased awareness and hospital care have significantly reduced DVT and PE deaths overall, your risk of dying from a clot still cruelly depends on who you are, where it happens, and how quickly you get the right help.

Risk Factors

  • Obesity increases DVT death risk by 2.5-fold
  • Smoking doubles the risk of fatal DVT/PE
  • Oral contraceptive use raises DVT risk 3-6 fold in women
  • Immobility >3 days increases DVT risk by 10-fold, leading to higher deaths
  • Cancer patients have 7-fold higher VTE mortality risk
  • Previous DVT recurs in 30%, with 5% fatal PE each time
  • Heart failure triples DVT death risk
  • Varicose veins increase DVT risk by 5-fold
  • Hormone replacement therapy elevates risk 2-4 fold
  • COVID-19 infection raises DVT/PE death risk 30-fold
  • Thrombophilia (Factor V Leiden) increases fatal PE by 5-10 fold
  • Hip fracture surgery DVT risk 40-60%, mortality 1-5%
  • Surgery increases DVT risk 100-fold in first week
  • Age >60 doubles DVT mortality risk per decade
  • BMI >30 increases risk 2.7-fold for fatal VTE
  • Recent travel >4 hours triples DVT risk
  • Inherited antithrombin deficiency 20-fold risk of death
  • Lupus anticoagulant triples recurrent fatal events
  • Nephrotic syndrome DVT risk 40%, mortality high
  • PACU admission post-op DVT risk 5-10%
  • Inflammatory bowel disease 3-fold VTE death risk

Risk Factors Interpretation

This alarming list of multipliers suggests that the human circulatory system, while impressively resilient, is about as fond of modern lifestyles and medical interventions as a cat is of a bath.