My Life

Lainie Kazan


An accomplished singer and actress, Lainie Kazan is known for lighting up the screen with memorable roles in films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Beaches, and My Favorite Year. Kazan, who's been a vibrant performer since the 1960s, almost didn't make it this far - several years ago a dangerous blood clot threatened her life. What she experienced was called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms deep in the leg or pelvis. If the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it becomes known as a pulmonary embolism, it can be fatal. DVT often develops during a period of inactivity because of illness, injury, or surgery. In Kazan's case, the clot formed shortly after she broke a bone. She told her doctor she wasn't feeling well, and fortunately he caught the clot before it could do any permanent damage.

Others are not so lucky - complications from DVT kill up to 200,000 people annually in the United States. To help educate people about the signs and symptoms of DVT, Kazan now travels around the country as the spokeswoman for a Sanofi-Aventis campaign, sharing her own experience with DVT and warning about the dangers of this condition. The native New Yorker recently discussed some of her insights with Everyday Health.

Everyday Health: Lainie, do you know what triggered your case of DVT?

Lainie Kazan: I was getting ready to fly to Australia to perform a concert tour, but a couple of days before I was scheduled to leave, I broke my foot. The blood coagulated and I had torn cartilage in my calf. I had crutches, and I was in pain and uncomfortable, so I decided to skip my flight, go home, and get a flight the next day.

Everyday Health: At this point, were you concerned that you might have a medical problem beyond the broken foot?

Lainie Kazan: No, I wasn't. The night I skipped my flight, I started feeling as if I had the flu. I felt as though I had congestion in my chest. The next day I was at the airport, in a wheelchair, and I called my doctor and described my symptoms to him. I said, "Can you meet me at the airport and give me a flu shot?" And he said, "You're not going anywhere."

He knew from what I was describing that there was something wrong. He was a very savvy doctor. He took X-rays at his office - and I had blood clots in both lungs. The blood clots had spread from the leg to the lungs, where they're called pulmonary embolisms. I was very sick.

I was in the hospital for more than a month. That's why I'm doing this national campaign to increase awareness [of DVT], to let people know what their risk factors are. I'm very committed. This possibly could have taken my life. More than 2 million people in the United States are affected by DVT.

Everyday Health: What are some of the risks for getting this condition?

Lainie Kazan: One of the main risks is restricted mobility. People who are hospitalized after surgeries, for example, or who are in bed for periods of time can be at risk. Age is another factor. [Most DVT victims are over 60, but experts stress that the condition can hit anyone.] Having cancer or heart or respiratory disease [puts you at a higher risk]. So does smoking.

Sitting in your seat during a long airplane flight can cause DVT. There are certain exercises that are recommended for long flights. And you should make sure you get up and walk around during the flight.

There are a lot of different risks, so people should speak with their doctor to see if they're at risk - but the right questions have to be asked.

Everyday Health: What are some of the symptoms people should look for?

Lainie Kazan: What's so scary is that often there are no symptoms at all. But there can be pain or swelling in the leg and discomfort in the chest if there are complications. You need to get a checkup and find out what your risks are.

People will come up to me when I speak at health care conventions and say, "I've been having pain in my leg and swelling." I tell them, "You need to have a conversation with your doctor."

Everyday Health: Have you taken certain precautions in your life to try to avoid a recurrence of DVT?

Lainie Kazan: I exercise all the time. With the kind of work I do, I'm always flying to different places, so when I'm on a plane I walk constantly. You need to keep moving. I try to watch my weight. I've always had a problem with my weight, but I'm very healthy and very fit. For people who are very overweight, there is more of a risk of getting DVT.

Everyday Health: What work are you doing these days, Lainie?

Lainie Kazan: Well, I'm singing and giving concerts all over the United States. And right now I'm finishing a movie with Adam Sandler called "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" [a comedy slated for release this summer].

Everyday Health: And what role do you play?

Lainie Kazan: [Laughing] I play one of Adam Sandler's love interests!

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Last Updated: 05/01/2008