Visual Guide to Deep Vein Thrombosis

Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO on August 04, 2021

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms inside a vein, usually deep within your leg. As many as 900,000 Americans a year get one, and up to 100,000 die because of it. The danger is that part of the clot can break off and travel through your bloodstream. It could get stuck in your lungs and block blood flow, causing organ damage or death.

A common symptom of DVT is a leg swollen below the knee. You may have redness and tenderness or pain in the area of the clot.

But you won’t always have these. About half of people with DVT get no warning signs.

This is a clot that moves into your lungs and blocks the blood supply. It can cause trouble breathing, low blood pressure, fainting, a faster heart rate, chest pain, and coughing up blood. If you have any of these, call 911 and get medical care right away.

Anything that damages the inner lining of a vein may cause DVT — surgery, an injury, or your immune system. If your blood is thick or flows slowly, it’s more likely to form a clot, especially in a vein that’s already damaged. People who have certain genetic disorders or more estrogen in their system are more likely to have blood clots, too.

Some people with a higher risk are those who:

• Have cancer
• Have had surgery
• Are on extended bed rest
• Are older
• Smoke
• Are overweight or obese
• Sit for long times, like on a long airplane flight

Women are more likely to develop DVT during pregnancy and in the 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth. That’s when they have higher levels of estrogen, which may make blood clot more easily. The pressure of their expanding uterus can slow blood flow in the veins as well. Certain blood disorders can boost their chances of having DVT even more.

Like pregnancy, birth control pills and some treatments for postmenopausal symptoms raise the amount of estrogen in a woman’s blood. That can increase the odds of getting DVT.

Travel to new and faraway places can be exciting! Squishing into a coach seat for a long international flight is not. Studies show long-distance travel — a trip that lasts more than 4 hours — doubles the chance of developing DVT. It doesn’t matter if you go by air, bus, train, or car. When you’re in a cramped seat and don’t move around, your blood flow slows. 

Your doctor will check you for signs of DVT. They may also ask about your medical history, medications you’re taking, medical problems of close relatives, and things that raise your chances of having this condition. An ultrasound is the most common way to confirm you have it. The test uses sound waves to “see” the blood flow and reveal a clot. You might also need other tests, such as a blood test called a d-dimer.

Drugs called anticoagulants are the most common way to treat DVT. Although they’re known as blood thinners, they don’t really thin your blood. They make it less “sticky” to prevent new blood clots from forming. They can’t break up a clot you already have, but they will give your body time to dissolve one on its own. You take these medications in a pill or by needle.

People who take these medications may get bruises often or bleed more easily. When you take certain ones, you’ll need to watch what you eat. And you may need to go to a lab regularly to get your blood checked. Newer medications make it harder to stop bleeding if you have an accident.

Let your doctor know if you bleed a lot from minor injuries.

Blood thinners can also make it easier to bleed inside your body, where you can’t see it. Bleeding in your belly can cause pain, vomit that’s red or looks like coffee grounds, and bright red or black stools. Bleeding in your brain can bring on severe headaches, vision changes, unnatural movements, and confusion. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you notice any of these symptoms.

If you can’t take blood thinners or they aren’t working, your doctor may recommend putting a filter into your biggest vein, called the vena cava. This filter catches breakaway clots and stops them from getting into your lungs and heart. It won’t stop new clots from forming or cure DVT, but it can help stop a dangerous pulmonary embolism.

Medications that dissolve blood clots are called thrombolytics. They can cause sudden, severe bleeding, so doctors use them only in emergencies — to dissolve a life-threatening blood clot in your lung, for example. You get thrombolytics by IV in a hospital.

These special socks put gentle pressure on your legs to keep your blood moving. They help keep clots from forming as well as keep swelling down and relieve pain where a clot has formed. You can get compression stockings over the counter, but your doctor will need to write a prescription for ones with more pressure. Wear them even when you’re at home.

When you can, sit with your feet resting off the floor to raise your legs. You’ll make it easier for the blood in your veins to flow up toward your heart. This can lessen the swelling and discomfort in the leg with DVT.

Once a blood clot is gone, DVT sometimes leaves behind an unpleasant reminder. You may see long-term swelling or changes in skin color where the clot was. Or it could hurt. These symptoms, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, sometimes show up as much as a year after the clot.

Use your muscles to get blood flowing. Work your lower leg muscles especially. When you’re not active — at your desk, for example — take breaks to stretch your legs. Stand up. Step away for a bit.

Regular exercise also helps keep you at a healthy weight, and that lowers your odds of having DVT, too.

When traveling will keep you seated for more than 4 hours, don’t wear tight clothing, and drink plenty of water. Get up and walk around at least every couple of hours. If you have to stay in your seat, stretch and move your legs. Try clenching and releasing your calves and thighs, or lifting and lowering your heels with your toes on the floor. Do plenty of sightseeing by foot once you arrive!

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

(1)    BSIP/Photo Researchers, Peggy Firth and Susan Gilbert for WebMD
(2)    Dr. P. Marazzi / Photo Researchers
(3)    Photo Researchers, Inc.
(4)    STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SPL
(5)    Jon Purcell/Robert Harding Picture Library
(6)    Stockbyte
(7)    Dimitri Vervitsiotis/Photographer’s Choice
(8)    Sasha Weleber/Photographer’s Choice RF
(9)    Vendome Card/Astier
(10)    Stockbyte
(11)    Mark Volk
(12)    Fuse
(13)    Peggy Firth and Susan Gilbert for WebMD
(14)    Samuel Ashfield/Photo Researchers
(15)    Michelle Del Guerico/Photo Researchers
(16)    Image Source
(17)    Martin Barraud/Stone
(18)    Jacom Stephens/The Agency Collection
(19)    Ryan McVay/Taxi
 

SOURCES:

MedlinePlus: “Deep Vein Thrombosis,” “Deep Vein Thrombosis: Diagnosis.”

CDC: “Are You at Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?” “Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots).”

CDC Travelers’ Health: “Deep Vein Thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism.”

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis?” “How is Deep Vein Thrombosis Treated?” “Living with Deep Vein Thrombosis. “

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis.”

Genetics Home Reference: “Genetic Conditions.”

Stroke Association: “Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA): What You Should Know.”

FamilyDoctor.org: “Deep Vein Thrombosis: What other treatments are used for DVT?” “Deep Vein Thrombosis: How Can I Prevent DVT?”

PubMed Health: “Deep Vein Thrombosis.”

© 2021 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. View privacy policy and trust info

Blood Clots: Deep Vein Thrombosis | LifeBridge Health

Blood Clots: Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot located within a deep vein of the body, usually in the thigh or leg. The deep veins are the main blood vessels returning blood from the tissues of the body back to the heart.

If a blood clot forms in a deep vein, it can block the flow of blood, which prevents the tissues from draining properly. This causes excess fluid accumulation, swelling, warmth and discomfort in the leg. A blood clot in a deep vein may also break off and travel back to the heart and into the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can be minor and go unnoticed, or it can be significant and cause difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain and even death. Less commonly, the clots can also travel through the heart and back to the rest of the body, including the brain. This is called paradoxical embolism. A blood clot that travels this way to the brain can be the cause of a stroke.

DVT is different from a clot in a vein close to the surface of the body, such as a vein near the skin or in the calf. These superficial clots, while often uncomfortable, are usually not dangerous. DVT is typically treated with medications that lower the chances of new clots forming and allow the body to dissolve the clot over time.

Causes

• Lack of exercise or movement may predispose people to DVT. People who do not move for prolonged periods of time, such as those on a long plane flight or a cross-country drive, are at risk for DVT. It is important to change positions often; stand up and walk around at least once every one to two hours.

• Hospitalization: DVT most often forms when a person is hospitalized and on bed rest for a serious illness or surgery. Ten to 30 percent of medical and surgical intensive care unit patients have DVT within the first week of admission. As a result, patients who are subject to bed rest should follow an exercise routine that uses active and passive motion of arms and legs.

• A traumatic injury or surgery, especially to the legs or hips, may predispose people to DVT. This risk can occur as a result of trauma to the blood vessels or as a result of the long period of immobilization required after a major surgery or an injury such as a broken bone.

• Pregnancy and certain hormonal medications may predispose women to DVT. During pregnancy and for three months following childbirth, women are at an increased risk for DVT. Medications such as estrogen and birth control pills may put women at increased risk of DVT, especially those who are also smokers.

• Obesity: People who are obese may have other conditions that increase the risk of DVT. In addition, a number of obese people are less active, which may also increase the risk of blood clots.

• Certain inherited conditions may predispose people to DVT. In order for blood clots to form and dissolve, certain factors in the blood are necessary. Some inherited conditions cause defects in these factors; individuals with these defects are more likely to form blood clots.

• Cancer: Those with certain cancers such as lung or breast cancer may also be at increased risk for developing DVT.

Symptoms

Symptoms of DVT usually occur in one leg. Pain, warmth and swelling are just some of the symptoms. Other symptoms include tenderness, discomfort and changes in skin color (bluish skin discoloration or redness).

The pain often is below the knee — often in the calf — and may increase during standing or walking. However, many people with DVT may not show symptoms. If pulmonary embolism occurs, symptoms include shortness of breath and sharp chest pain that is worse with taking a deep breath.

Diagnosis

If you are suspected of having DVT, you may undergo several tests to evaluate your veins and the tendency of your blood to clot. Imaging tests may locate the blood clot and confirm a diagnosis of DVT. Doctors can also analyze your blood to determine if it is likely to form clots.

Prevention

• Move your legs: Prolonged sitting, bed rest and lack of movement increase the chance of blood clots forming in the deep veins of the legs. When you sit for long periods of time, move your legs by flexing your ankle up and down as though you are pressing the accelerator of a car with your foot. Repeat this exercise 20 times every one to two hours.

• Walk up and down the aisle of a plane every hour or two for a few minutes. If traveling in a car, pull over at a rest stop to stretch your legs every two hours.

• Increase your fluid intake when traveling in an airplane. People who travel in airplanes for extended periods of time have a tendency to become dehydrated. If you have a history of blood clots, dehydration may cause your blood to thicken, increasing your risk of developing DVT. To prevent dehydration, drink an 8-ounce glass of water every two hours. Avoid drinking too much alcohol and coffee when flying, as they are dehydrating.

• Wear elastic compression stockings: If you have a history of blood clots or leg swelling, elastic stockings reduce leg swelling and the chance of blood clots. The stockings must be worn snugly to offer support while ensuring adequate circulation. Stockings should not be worn for more than a full day at a time. They are available over the counter at surgical supply stores.

Treatment

If you suspect you may have DVT, seek the attention of a doctor immediately. Go to an emergency room if you have chest pain and shortness of breath, a sign that the blood clot has traveled from your leg to your lungs, which is a pulmonary embolism.

• Drug Therapy: If you have DVT you may be hospitalized or treated as an outpatient with anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin. Heparin takes effect right away, while warfarin (Coumadin) needs a few days to take effect. Your doctor is the best source of information on the drug treatment choices available to you.

• Surgery: Clot-trapping filters can help in some circumstances. If you have DVT but cannot take anticoagulant medications, or if DVT occurs while you are already taking anticoagulants, a special, fine-mesh screen filter may be placed in the main vein that connects the lower body to the heart. The filter reduces the chances of blood clots that break off from the lower body entering the heart or lungs. The filter does not reduce the chance of a DVT forming, however, so if you are able to take anticoagulant medications, you should continue to do so after the surgery.

Find an expert who cares

Use our online directory to find a doctor and make an appointment

Search our Directory

Blood Clot in Leg: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, Diagnosis, Prevention

Overview

Blood clots in the leg form when blood thickens and collects in a vein in the thigh or calf. The danger is that a clot deep in the leg, in particular in the thigh, can break away from this place, approach the lungs and block the flow of blood there. This pathology is called pulmonary embolism, which can cause serious damage to the lungs and other organs and cause death. Sitting for long periods of time, or bed rest, or an injury to the lower body, such as a hip fracture, can cause a blood clot in the leg. In this case, the patient may feel pain in the area where the clot formed, or have no symptoms. Anticoagulants or blood thinners may help prevent the formation or enlargement of a blood clot.

What to expect

A blood clot that is close to the skin of the leg is mostly not dangerous. However, a blood clot deep in the leg, also called deep vein thrombosis, may be swollen and the area around it may be warm. This pain may become worse when standing or walking. However, half of patients do not feel any symptoms until such a clot causes a pulmonary embolism. In this situation, the patient may have shortness of breath or pain during deep breathing, and blood may also be coughed up. If the clot is small and below the knee, the doctor may decide to monitor it. When the clot is in the thigh, you can get rid of it at home with the help of drugs that thin the blood. The course of such treatment is about 3 months, but if you have a serious underlying illness or are pregnant, you may need to be admitted to a hospital. In the case when you have at least once had a clot in your leg, this means that your body is prone to its re-formation. Therefore, your doctor will recommend preventive measures, such as the use of compression stockings and the use of antiplatelet drugs (drugs containing aspirin).

Diagnosis

To find out if you have deep vein thrombosis, the doctor will take a medical history and do a physical exam and may do an ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, and a blood test called a D-dimer test to measure a substance in the blood that is released when the clot dissolves. Venography, which injects dye into a vein to take an x-ray, is not used as often.

Treatment

Treatments for a blood clot may include:

– blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin to keep the clot from growing and reduce the formation of new clots

– thrombolytic inhibitors, medicines that break up clots to dissolve large clots in life-threatening situations

– surgery to place a filter in a large vein (empty vein) to prevent clots from reaching the lungs; this is used for patients who cannot take blood thinners

– compression stockings to help avoid swelling and new clots

– raising the legs above heart level

Self-medication

The following self-care methods can help you prevent a new blood clot from forming in your leg:

– wear compression stockings as prescribed by your doctor

– do not sit or lie in bed for a long time

– walk, move legs, stretch regularly and stretch your feet, drink plenty of fluids during long journeys

– lose weight if you are overweight

– keep your legs elevated when you sit or lie in bed

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you think you have a blood clot in your leg. If you have pain or swelling in your leg, go to the emergency room. If you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, call the emergency number.

Risk factors

The risk of a blood clot in the leg increases if:0005

– you have – a bleeding disorder

– you are on hormonal therapy or taking birth control

– you have suffered a deep vein injury after surgery or a broken bone

– you have been bedridden or have been sitting for example, during an airplane flight

– you are pregnant or have recently given birth

– you are over 60 years old

– you are overweight or overweight

– you smoke

– you have heart failure

– you have a catheter in your vein

– you have had some form of cancer or have been treated for cancer

Deep Vein Thrombosis Guide!

news 06/20/2018

Deep vein thrombosis guidelines

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a vein, usually deep inside the leg.

This disease is diagnosed in 900,000 Americans every year, and up to 100,000 die each year. The danger is that part of the clot may break and enter the bloodstream. It can get stuck in your lungs and block your blood supply, which can lead to organ damage or even your death.

Symptoms

The main symptom of DVT is swelling of the leg below the knee. There may be redness, tenderness, or pain in the area of ​​the clot.

However, the symptoms of the disease do not always appear. About half of people with DVT have no warning signs of the disease.

Pulmonary embolism

This is a condition in which a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks the blood supply. As a result, breathing problems, fainting, chest pains and coughing up blood can occur, as well as a decrease in blood pressure and an increased heart rate. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 and ask for medical assistance.

What causes DVT?

DVT can be caused by anything that damages the inner wall of the veins – surgery, trauma, or an immune response. If you have thick or slow-flowing blood, you are more likely to have a clot in your veins—especially those that are already damaged. In addition, those who have certain genetic disorders or elevated levels of estrogen in the blood are also prone to the appearance of clots in the vessels.

Who is most at risk for DVT?

Some other groups of people are more likely to develop DVT. For example:

• Cancer patients;
• Post-surgery;
• Bedridden patients;
• Elderly people;
• Smokers;
• Obese people;
• People who have to sit for long hours, such as on long flights.

Pregnancy

In women, DVT most often develops during pregnancy and 4-6 weeks after delivery. It is at this time that estrogen levels rise, which can contribute to the formation of a blood clot. The pressure of the expanding uterus can also slow down the circulation in the veins. Certain blood disorders can also greatly increase the risk of DVT.

Hormone therapy

Pregnancy, birth control pills, and some treatments for postmenopausal symptoms increase the amount of estrogen in a woman’s blood. It also increases the risk of DVT.

Trapped in the passenger seat

Traveling to new and distant places is so exciting! But to be bored in the passenger seat during a long international flight is not. Research shows that long-distance travel – a trip lasting more than 4 hours – doubles the chance of developing DVT. It doesn’t matter if you are flying, traveling by bus, train or car. When you sit in a cramped passenger seat and don’t move, your blood flow slows down.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may check for signs of DVT. They will likely ask about your medical history, the medications you are taking, diseases of close relatives, and other factors that may increase your chances of developing THD. Ultrasound is the most accurate way to make a correct diagnosis. In this study, sound waves are used to “see” the blood flow and detect a clot. You may also need to have other tests, such as a d-dimer blood test.

Anticoagulants

The most common treatment for DVT is anticoagulants. Although they are known as blood thinners, they do not actually thin the blood, but make it less “sticky”, which prevents blood clots from forming. These drugs cannot dissolve an existing blood clot, but will give your body time to dissolve it on its own. These drugs are usually available as tablets or injections.

Side effects of anticoagulants

People who take anticoagulants may bruise or bleed frequently. When you take certain types of anticoagulants, you need to carefully monitor your diet. In addition, you may need to have regular blood tests. Newer medications can make it harder to stop bleeding in an accident.

Internal bleeding

Anticoagulants may cause internal bleeding that cannot be seen. Bleeding in the abdomen can cause pain, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, or is bright red and black or bright red stools. Bleeding in the brain can cause severe headaches, impaired vision and coordination, and confusion. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 9 immediately11 or go to the emergency room.

Cava Filter

If you can’t take anticoagulants, or if they don’t work in your body for some reason, your doctor may recommend that you place a special filter in the largest vein, called the vena cava. This filter captures detached blood clots and prevents them from getting into the lungs and heart. It won’t prevent new clots from forming or cure DVT, but it will help prevent a dangerous pulmonary embolism.

Thrombolytics

Medicines that dissolve blood clots are called thrombolytics. They can cause sudden heavy bleeding, which is why doctors use them only in emergencies, such as to dissolve a deadly blood clot in the lungs. Droppers with thrombolytics are placed in the hospital.

Compression stockings

These are special stockings that apply light pressure to the legs to stimulate blood flow. They prevent the formation of blood clots, and also relieve swelling and pain if a blood clot has already formed. Compression stockings can be purchased at the store, but in order to buy medical stockings with a higher degree of compression, you need a doctor’s prescription. They should also be worn at home.

Feet up

Whenever possible, try to sit with your legs up. This will facilitate the flow of blood to the heart. It will also help reduce swelling and discomfort in the DVT leg.

Long-term effects

Even after the clot has resolved, THB sometimes leaves an unpleasant reminder of itself. You may notice permanent swelling or discoloration of the skin at the site of the clot. Or the place may continue to hurt. Similar symptoms, known as post-thrombotic syndrome, sometimes appear even a year after a thrombosis.

Exercise

Try to keep your muscles tense for proper blood circulation. This is especially true for the leg muscles. When you’re not active – like at your desk – take breaks to stretch your legs.