How to Spot and Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis

January 2017

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When the Clot Thickens

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Lots of things can cause pain and swelling in your leg. But if your symptoms stem from a blood clot deep in your leg, it can be dangerous. Blood clots can happen to anyone, anytime. But some people are at increased risk. Taking steps to reduce your chances of a blood clot forming in your veins can help you avoid potentially serious problems.

Blood clots can arise anywhere in your body. They develop when blood thickens and clumps together. When a clot forms in a vein deep in the body, it’s called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein blood clots typically occur in the lower leg or thigh.

“Deep vein thrombosis has classic symptoms—for example swelling, pain, warmth, and redness on the leg,” says Dr. Andrei Kindzelski, an NIH blood disease expert. “But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don’t have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don’t realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition.

Deep vein clots—especially those in the thigh—can break off and travel through the bloodstream. If a clot lodges in an artery in the lungs, it can block blood flow and lead to a sometimes-deadly condition called pulmonary embolism. This disorder can damage the lungs and reduce blood oxygen levels, which can harm other organs as well.

Some people are more at risk for deep vein thrombosis than others. “Usually people who develop deep vein thrombosis have some level of thrombophilia, which means their blood clots more rapidly or easily,” Kindzelski says. Getting a blood clot is usually the first sign of this condition because it’s hard to notice otherwise. In these cases, lifestyle can contribute to a blood clot forming—if you don’t move enough, for example. Your risk is higher if you’ve recently had surgery or broken a bone, if you’re ill and in bed for a long time, or if you’re traveling for a long time (such as during long car or airplane rides).

Having other diseases or conditions can also raise your chances of a blood clot. These include a stroke, paralysis (an inability to move), chronic heart disease, high blood pressure, surgical procedure, or having been recently treated for cancer. Women who take hormone therapy pills or birth control pills, are pregnant, or within the first 6 weeks after giving birth are also at higher risk. So are those who smoke or who are older than 60. But deep vein thrombosis can happen at any age.

You can take simple steps to lower your chances for a blood clot. Exercise your lower leg muscles if you’re sitting for a long time while traveling. Get out of bed and move around as soon as you’re able after having surgery or being ill. The more active you are, the better your chance of avoiding a blood clot. Take any medicines your doctor prescribes to prevent clots after some types of surgery.

A prompt diagnosis and proper treatment can help prevent the complications of blood clots. See your doctor immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (see the Wise Choices box). A physical exam and other tests can help doctors determine whether you’ve got a blood clot.

There are many ways to treat deep vein thrombosis. Therapies aim to stop the blood clot from getting bigger, prevent the clot from breaking off and moving to your lungs, or reduce your chance of having another blood clot. NIH scientists continue to research new medicines and better treatment options.

If you think you may be at risk for deep vein thrombosis, talk with your doctor.

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Top Warning Signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis

• 5 April 2019
• Dr. Obinna Nwobi

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that’s serious and life-threatening. How serious? Statistics say that 10-30% will die within one month of their diagnosis. However, that’s because many don’t know the warning signs, so they fail to get medical treatment before the condition turns serious.

The good news is that DVT can be successfully treated and stabilized when it’s diagnosed as early as possible. That’s why our team at Vein Health Clinics wants to let you know how to recognize the top warning signs of deep vein thrombosis.

Table of Contents

Why deep vein thrombosis is dangerous

Thrombosis is a medical term that refers to a blood clot. When you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you develop a blood clot in a vein that’s deep below the surface. While DVT may affect your arms or pelvis, it most often occurs in the lower leg.

DVT becomes a serious health threat when a piece of the blood clot breaks loose, travels through the bloodstream to your lungs, and blocks blood flow in one of the pulmonary arteries. This condition called a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.

Factors that increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis

DVT can develop when blood flow slows down in the vein or the blood vessel wall is damaged by an injury, inflammation, or surgery. Blood clots are also more likely to form when your blood is thicker or more likely to clot due to an imbalance in the biochemicals that control clotting.

Here’s a look at some of the factors that increase your risk for DVT:

• Immobility
• Injury or surgery
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Inherited blood-clotting disorder

One of the primary risk factors for DVT is immobility. You may become immobile due to a long ride in a car or airplane, or when you spend an extended time in bed, whether due to an illness, injury, or surgery.

As leg muscles contract while you walk, the pressure pushes blood up through your veins. If you sit still too long — even if you’re just sitting in front of the TV or working at your computer — your blood doesn’t circulate properly, and your risk for blood clots increases.

Top warning signs of deep vein thrombosis

You may not experience any symptoms at first, but when they appear, you’ll develop these warning signs:

Swelling

About 70% of all patients develop swelling, which is the top warning sign of DVT. If your DVT is in your thigh or calf, you’ll only have swelling in the affected leg. However, if the blood clot is in your pelvis, you can develop swelling in both legs. In some cases, chronic pelvic pain may also be a symptom of a condition known as pelvic congestion syndrome. If you experience chronic pelvic pain that doesn’t improve with treatment, it may be worth considering this possibility.

Leg pain

Leg pain is the second most common sign, as it appears in 50% of all patients. Your pain may be mild or severe, but the extent of the pain isn’t associated with the size of the blood clot. The pain caused by a DVT, which may feel more like a cramp or tender area, is usually felt in the calf muscles or along the vein as it travels down your inner thigh.

Changes in your skin

Your skin may appear red or discolored. Additionally, the area of your leg that’s swollen or painful may also feel warmer than the rest of your skin.

Pain when your foot is flexed

Some patients feel pain when they flex their foot, moving the foot so the toes point up toward the knee.

Warning signs of pulmonary embolism

In about 25% of people with a DVT, the first symptom is sudden death due to a pulmonary embolism. For this reason, it’s vital to recognize the warning signs of pulmonary embolism, which are:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden chest pain that worsens when you take a breath
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Rapid pulse
• Coughing up blood

At the first sign of a pulmonary embolism, call 9-1-1 so that you can get emergency medical attention.

Even if your warning signs of deep vein thrombosis are mild, call Vein Health Clinics right away so we can determine whether you have DVT and start life-saving treatment. Our Florida offices are in Oviedo, Apopka, and Winter Haven, so contact the one most convenient for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Have DVT Without Knowing?

You can have DVT (deep vein thrombosis) without knowing for several days or weeks. However, some people may experience swelling, pain, or warmth in the affected area. It is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect DVT to prevent potential complications.

Does DVT Pain Go Away When Sitting?

No, DVT pain may not go away completely when sitting. Sitting for long periods can worsen DVT symptoms, leading to decreased blood flow and increased pressure in the affected area. It is important to keep moving and avoid prolonged sitting or immobility if you have DVT.

What Does DVT Feel Like?

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can feel different for each person, but common symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, and redness in the affected area. Some people may also experience a feeling of heaviness or achiness in the affected limb.

How Painful Is DVT?

DVT can range from mild to severe pain, depending on the individual and the extent of the clot. Others may experience severe pain and swelling, while others may only feel a dull ache. It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect DVT to prevent potential complications.

What Does Deep Vein Thrombosis Feel Like?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can cause swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, or redness in the affected area. Some people may also experience a feeling of heaviness or achiness in the affected limb. However, some people may not experience any symptoms, making DVT a potentially silent and dangerous condition.

What Is DVT In Medical Terms?

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a medical condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs. This can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness, and can potentially lead to life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism. Treatment typically involves blood thinners.

What Are The Warning Signs Of Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Warning signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can include swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, or redness in the affected area, as well as a feeling of heaviness or achiness in the affected limb. However, some people may not experience any symptoms, making DVT a potentially silent and dangerous condition.

Does DVT Pain Come And Go?

The pain associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can come and go, depending on factors such as activity level and medication use. However, it is important to note that DVT pain can also persist and worsen over time, and may require medical intervention.

Can Inner Thigh Pain Be A Blood Clot?

Yes, inner thigh pain can be a symptom of a blood clot, particularly if the pain is accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness in the affected area. This can indicate the presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially serious condition that requires medical attention.

Is DVT Pain Constant?

The pain associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can vary from person to person, and may not always be constant. The pain may come and go, or it may persist and worsen over time. However, other symptoms such as swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected area may be present.

About The Author

Dr. Obinna Nwobi

Dr. Obinna Nwobi is a board certified vascular surgeon, who chose to practice in an underserved area in Florida. In a field that graduates only 100 new vascular surgeons a year, Dr. Nwobi is an exemplary vascular surgeon who worked for the Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs Hospital, and large private and public hospitals.

symptoms, causes and treatment, prices in St. Petersburg

Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities is a dangerous and rather insidious disease in which blood clots form in the lumen of the vein, blocking the blood flow. Signs of deep vein thrombosis can be different, but basically they are:

• The appearance of aching pain in the legs, which greatly increases with any physical exertion;
• Sharp pains in the foot and on the inner surface of the thigh;
• At a more serious stage of the disease, edema may occur.

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Phlebologists around the world claim that there is no exact definition of exactly how thrombosis manifests itself. In each case, these are individual symptoms. If you notice the first signs of heaviness in your legs, do not waste time and immediately consult a doctor.

In the early stages, the disease can manifest itself as a sluggish one, but later this can lead to its acute and rapid development. Edema with deep vein thrombosis is far from the most common manifestation. It is enough just to feel heaviness in the legs – this is already the first sign that serious problems with the veins may arise.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis

Light daily exercise should be used as a prevention of thrombosis. If you have a sedentary job, try to take short breaks and walk around the room or up the stairs.

Exercise for deep vein thrombosis should not be too intense – active exercise can trigger an outbreak of the disease. The diet for deep vein thrombosis should completely exclude salty and spicy foods, which cause excessive moisture retention in the body.

Deep vein thrombosis recommendations

The first and main recommendation is not to delay the visit to the doctor. Only a comprehensive examination by an experienced specialist will allow you to accurately establish the diagnosis. Even if you are sure that you did not fall ill with thrombosis, in any case, pay attention to the symptoms and check with your doctor. Surgery for deep vein thrombosis is the most correct solution, since modern techniques allow you to quickly and painlessly eliminate the source of the disease and normalize blood flow in problem areas.

In our clinic you will receive advice from leading experts in the field of phlebology. If you are shown treatment, doctors will make it as high quality as possible. Don’t delay, health is the most important thing you have!

Contents of the article:

• Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
• Deep vein thrombosis recommendations
• Prices
• Clinic Benefits
• Doctors
• Shares

causes of phlebothrombosis, symptoms, treatment, prices in St. Petersburg

Why thrombosis develops

Conditions that are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis:

• Hormonal imbalance. Endocrine diseases, pregnancy, age-related changes, ongoing hormonal therapy, oral contraceptives are common causes of thrombosis in women.
• Overweight (obesity).
• Varicose veins, congenital vascular defects, consequences of past traumatic vascular injuries.
• Malignant neoplasms of any localization.
• The use of drugs that directly or indirectly affect the functioning of the blood coagulation system. Moreover, both regular intake and violation of the doctor’s recommendations can be important /
• Injury, surgery, childbirth and other conditions requiring emergency activation of the blood coagulation system to stop massive blood loss. Postoperative thrombosis often complicates the recovery period for caesarean section, osteosynthesis of large bones, operations on large joints and spine.
• Severe bacterial infections, sepsis (blood poisoning), massive pneumonia (pneumonia).
• Massive burns.
• Paralysis of the legs due to various neurological diseases or spinal injuries. Polyneuropathies of the lower extremities of various origins.

Predisposing factors include smoking, old age, taking a large number of different drugs, temporary immobility after surgery, trauma, plaster casts.

Physical inactivity is also of great importance, with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. This is accompanied by a slowdown in the outflow of blood from the legs, with congestion and a tendency to thrombosis in the veins of the lower extremities. And the combination of a long sitting position with a drop in atmospheric pressure (as happens during flights) is a frequent provocateur of acute deep vein thrombosis in travelers.

How blood clots form in veins

Currently, there are 3 key mechanisms in the process of intravenous thrombosis:

• Violation of the integrity, damage (so-called alteration) of the endothelium – the inner lining of blood vessels. The exposure of the underlying layers in their walls is perceived by the body to stimulate the processes of recovery and stop bleeding. In the area of ​​the defect, tissue thromboplastin is released, this zone becomes the site of thrombus growth.
• Hemodynamic disorders – changes in the speed and nature of blood flow in the vessels. The presence of abnormal constrictions, uneven expansions, bends of the venous walls, defects in the valves of the veins negatively affects the blood flow. It becomes turbulent, uneven, with zones of turbulence, deceleration and reverse motion (reflux). This increases the risk of damage to the walls of blood vessels and the formation of blood clots. Therefore, illiterate treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities predisposes to repeated thrombosis.
• Activation of the blood coagulation system, which is enhanced by the production of thromboplastin. A complex cascade of reactions involving many biochemical and cellular components is launched.

Thrombus formation is a natural defense mechanism to stop bleeding when a vessel is damaged. But in the case of thrombosis, blood coagulation acquires a pathological, maladaptive character. And the occurrence of a blood clot causes circulatory disorders in the affected and adjacent veins.

What happens to the thrombus next

Initially formed in the lumen of the vessel, the thrombus is small and is located near the wall, attaching to the area of ​​the endothelial defect. Its subsequent fate may be different:

• The thrombus may continue to grow, filling the lumen of the vein and spreading along its length
• A clot or part of it may break off and travel with the bloodstream.
• With sufficient activation of the fibrinolysis system, the reverse development of thrombosis begins, with the resorption of the thrombus. In this case, a blood tunnel often appears in a large clot, this process is called recanalization. But spontaneous fibrinolysis of a thrombus is a very dangerous moment in the course of thrombosis, because this is what can lead to the formation of migrating fragments.
• Thrombus can remain in the lumen of the vein, while it thickens, grows with fibrin threads and calcium salts and, as it were, “ossifies”.

It should be understood that a self-resolved episode of thrombosis does not at all mean a complete cure for the patient. In the absence of adequate treatment, a relapse of the disease with the development of formidable complications is possible, which occurs in approximately 21–35% of cases. And almost ¼ of repeated thromboses are accompanied by thromboembolism. Therefore, timely access to a doctor and compliance with all his recommendations are so important.

How phlebothrombosis manifests itself. Main symptoms

Venous thrombosis of the extremities is a rather insidious disease. In a significant percentage of cases, it is initially asymptomatic, making itself felt only with a significant progression of the process or with the development of complications. A person may not be aware of the presence of a small non-occlusive thrombus, considering himself absolutely healthy.

The main clinical symptoms of thrombosis of the legs include:

• Edema of the limb below the level of occlusion (blockage) of the vessel. The skin at the same time becomes glossy, with a clearly visible network of superficial veins. At first she is pale, with a bluish tinge. When the inflammatory process is attached, redness appears.
• Increased fatigue of the affected limb is a sign of oxygen starvation of tissues and venous insufficiency.
• Pain in the leg, usually of a bursting-pulling nature, with an increase in the vertical position of the body and when walking.
• Thickening, thickening, coarsening, soreness of the thrombosed area of ​​the superficial vessel. For example, with thrombosis of the PBV (superficial vein of the thigh), these changes can be detected along the anterior-inner surface of the thigh.

The appearance of the first signs of vein thrombosis is a reason for an urgent visit to a doctor, preferably a phlebologist. After all, this disease requires special attention, which is associated with a fairly high risk of developing severe complications.

Why is venous thrombosis dangerous?

Further thrombus growth involving larger or adjacent vessels. Starting in the lower leg, it is able to pass into the lumen of the popliteal vein, and then into the overlying iliac vein. And from the superficial venous network, thrombosis can spread through the communicative (connecting) vessels to the deep veins.

Many patients underestimate the risk of venous thrombosis by not consulting a doctor and preferring self-treatment. This approach is fraught with aggravation of the situation, increases the risk of relapses and can even lead to the development of severe, life-threatening complications.

Diagnosis

At the first suspicion, a doctor’s consultation is necessary. Moreover, it is preferable to contact specialized vascular, phlebological clinics, since it is not easy to accurately determine vein thrombosis without additional examination.

Diagnosis of this disease includes:

Detailed examination with a doctor performing special tests (tests) on the functioning of the veins of the extremities.

Ultrasound of the superficial and deep veins of the extremities, with the determination of the course of blood vessels, the size and position of blood clots.

Ultrasound or duplex vein scanning, which allows you to assess the nature of blood flow, the degree of its deficiency and a number of other parameters.

Laboratory studies of the blood coagulation system can be additionally ordered by a doctor. In controversial and severe cases, other, more complex and costly diagnostic procedures may be recommended.

How to treat venous thrombosis

Recognition of symptoms and treatment of vein thrombosis is the prerogative of a specialist, self-treatment is unacceptable. Therapeutic tactics depend on the affected area, the size and nature of the thrombus, the duration of the process, and a number of other factors. The selection of drugs and the necessary techniques is carried out individually.

Treatment of venous thrombosis may include:

• Taking drugs of various pharmacological groups. Such therapy can be aimed at lysis (“dissolution”) of blood clots, restoration of adequate functioning of the blood coagulation system, reduction of the severity of tissue ischemia, mitigation of inflammation and pain, and prevention of relapses.
• Mechanical removal of a thrombus. It is practiced infrequently, since this manipulation is associated with a high risk of detachment and migration of a part of the clot.