Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have teamed up for the No Time to Wait Campaign to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib) and its symptoms.

Most people are fully healed from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within a few weeks or months. But if you're recovering from this type of blood clot (which happens in a large vein, most often in your leg), you might be worried about how it will change your life and whether it will happen again.

Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if you notice leg pain or swelling and: Sudden coughing, which may bring up blood.

Symptoms to Lookout For There are a few telltale signs that you may have DVT, which include pain, swelling, tenderness or redness in and around the suspected area. Some other signs include leg cramps, leg pain that becomes more severe when the foot is bent and skin discoloration.

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At Bristol Myers Squibb, we work every day to transform patients' lives through science. We combine the agility of a biotech with the reach and resources of an established pharmaceutical company to create a global leading biopharma company powered by talented individuals who drive scientific innovation.

Exercise can help improve blood flow in the body, and this can be particularly helpful in preventing blood clots from forming. Regular exercise can also help in breaking down existing blood clots. Low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, and swimming are recommended as they are less strenuous on the body.

While a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, most patients survive DVT and need to learn how to live with the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider will probably prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which may be needed for as little as three months but can be lifelong treatment.

DVT can be a very serious condition, and it's important you receive medical assistance as soon as possible. Treating DVT promptly will help minimise the risk of complications.

DVT thrombolysis can often be done as an outpatient procedure or a one to two-night hospital stay depending on the age of the clot. Patients with the best outcomes are those who have had symptoms for 10 days or less as this is when the clot is "fresh". Those with symptoms ranging from 10-30 days also do well.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots

• Swelling in the leg or arm.
• Tenderness or cramps in the leg.
• Out of breath, or shortness of breath.
• Passing out or feeling lightheaded.
• Chest pain or back pain when breathing.
• Leg discoloration, either a red or blue hue.
• Overdrive, when your heart is racing.
• Time to call 911.

If symptoms do occur they can include:

• pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf or thigh)
• a heavy ache in the affected area.
• warm skin in the area of the clot.
• red skin, particularly at the back of your leg below the knee.