What are the warning signs of a blood clot in the leg. How is DVT diagnosed and treated. Who is at higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. What can be done to prevent DVT during long journeys and hospital stays.

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Potentially Life-Threatening Condition

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious medical condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, typically in the leg. This condition can be dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. DVT can lead to severe complications, including pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and can be life-threatening.

What exactly is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body, most commonly in the legs. These clots can partially or completely block blood flow, leading to various symptoms and potential complications. The condition is often associated with prolonged periods of immobility, certain medical conditions, and other risk factors.

Recognizing the Warning Signs: Key Symptoms of DVT

Identifying the symptoms of DVT early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications. While symptoms can vary, there are several common warning signs to watch for:

• Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg, usually in the calf or thigh
• Swelling in one leg (rarely both legs)
• Warm skin around the painful area
• Redness or discoloration of the skin near the affected area
• Swollen veins that are hard or sore to the touch

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also occur in the arm or abdomen if the blood clot is located in those areas. In some cases, DVT may not cause any noticeable symptoms, making regular check-ups and awareness of risk factors essential.

Can DVT symptoms be easily confused with other conditions?

Yes, DVT symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions such as muscle strains, cellulitis, or superficial thrombophlebitis. This is why it’s crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, especially if you have known risk factors for DVT.

Risk Factors: Who is More Likely to Develop DVT?

Understanding the risk factors for DVT can help individuals take preventive measures and seek timely medical care. Several factors increase the likelihood of developing this condition:

1. Age: Being over 60 years old
2. Weight: Obesity or being overweight
3. Lifestyle: Smoking
4. Medical history: Previous DVT or certain medical conditions
5. Medications: Use of contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy
6. Health conditions: Cancer or heart failure
7. Vein health: Presence of varicose veins

Additionally, certain situations can temporarily increase the risk of DVT:

• Recent hospitalization or surgery, especially with limited mobility
• Extended periods of bed rest
• Long-distance travel (over 3 hours) by plane, car, or train
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth (within 6 weeks)
• Dehydration

It’s worth noting that in some cases, DVT can occur without any apparent reason, highlighting the importance of awareness and regular check-ups.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Medical Approaches to DVT

When DVT is suspected, prompt medical evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The diagnostic process typically involves:

How is DVT diagnosed?

If a doctor suspects DVT, they will usually refer the patient to a hospital within 24 hours for an ultrasound scan. This non-invasive imaging technique allows medical professionals to assess blood flow through the veins and identify any clots. In some cases, an X-ray of the vein (venogram) may be performed, which involves injecting a dye to highlight the location of the blood clot.

What are the primary treatment options for DVT?

Treatment for DVT aims to prevent the clot from growing, reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism, and minimize the chances of recurrence. Common treatment approaches include:

• Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants): Such as heparin, warfarin, or rivaroxaban, typically prescribed for at least three months
• Surgical interventions: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove blood clots or prevent their formation
• Special considerations for pregnant women: Pregnant women diagnosed with DVT may require anticoagulant injections throughout pregnancy and for six weeks postpartum

The specific treatment plan will depend on individual factors, including the severity of the condition, overall health, and any underlying medical issues.

Recovery and Prevention: Strategies for Managing DVT Risk

Recovering from DVT and preventing future occurrences involves a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. Here are some key strategies:

How can patients support their recovery from DVT?

After hospital discharge, patients are typically encouraged to:

• Engage in regular walking to promote circulation
• Elevate the affected leg when sitting to reduce swelling
• Postpone long-distance travel for at least two weeks after starting blood-thinning medication

What preventive measures can reduce the risk of DVT?

To lower the chances of developing DVT, individuals can adopt several lifestyle changes and precautions:

• Maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise
• Stay physically active, incorporating regular walks into daily routines
• Ensure adequate hydration to maintain healthy blood flow
• Avoid prolonged periods of immobility, taking breaks to move around every hour
• Refrain from crossing legs while sitting for extended periods
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Travel Precautions: Minimizing DVT Risk During Long Journeys

Long-distance travel, particularly journeys lasting 3 hours or more, can increase the risk of DVT. However, there are several measures travelers can take to reduce this risk:

How can travelers reduce their DVT risk during long journeys?

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid restricting blood flow
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Take advantage of opportunities to walk and stretch, such as during layovers or rest stops
• Perform simple exercises while seated, like ankle rotations and calf muscle contractions
• Consider wearing compression stockings, especially for individuals at higher risk

By implementing these strategies, travelers can help maintain healthy circulation and reduce the likelihood of developing DVT during long journeys.

Hospital Stays and DVT Prevention: Proactive Measures

Hospitalization, particularly for surgeries or conditions requiring extended bed rest, can significantly increase the risk of DVT. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in assessing and managing this risk for their patients.

How do healthcare teams address DVT risk in hospitalized patients?

When patients are admitted to the hospital, healthcare teams typically:

• Conduct a thorough assessment of DVT risk factors
• Implement appropriate preventive measures based on individual risk profiles
• Prescribe prophylactic treatments, such as blood-thinning medications or mechanical compression devices
• Encourage early mobilization when possible
• Provide patient education on recognizing DVT symptoms and the importance of preventive measures

Patients and their families should feel empowered to discuss DVT prevention strategies with their healthcare providers during hospital stays.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in DVT Management

The field of DVT research continues to evolve, with ongoing studies exploring new prevention strategies, treatment options, and risk assessment tools. Some areas of current interest include:

What are some promising developments in DVT research?

• Novel oral anticoagulants with improved safety profiles and fewer monitoring requirements
• Advanced imaging techniques for more accurate and timely diagnosis
• Personalized risk assessment models incorporating genetic factors and biomarkers
• Innovative mechanical devices for DVT prevention in high-risk patients
• Investigation of the relationship between DVT and other health conditions, such as cancer and inflammatory disorders

These advancements hold the potential to enhance DVT prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Deep Vein Thrombosis remains a significant health concern, but with increased awareness, early detection, and appropriate management, its impact can be minimized. By understanding the risk factors, recognizing the symptoms, and implementing preventive strategies, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their vascular health. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in assessing risk, providing timely interventions, and educating patients about DVT. As research continues to advance our understanding of this condition, we can look forward to more effective prevention and treatment options in the future.

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – NHS

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg. DVT can be dangerous. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have DVT.

Symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

Symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg are:

• throbbing pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh, when walking or standing up
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• warm skin around the painful area
• red or darkened skin around the painful area – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
• swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them

These symptoms can also happen in your arm or tummy if that’s where the blood clot is.

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/440619/view

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You have symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), such as pain and swelling, and:

• breathlessness
• chest pain

DVT can be very serious because blood clots can travel to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism.

A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs treatment straight away.

Who is more likely to get DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

A DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is more likely to happen if you:

• are over 60
• are overweight
• smoke
• have had DVT before
• take the contraceptive pill or HRT
• have cancer or heart failure
• have varicose veins

There are also some times when you have a higher chance of getting DVT.

These include if you:

• are staying in or recently left hospital – especially if you cannot move around much (like after an operation)
• are confined to bed
• go on a long journey (more than 3 hours) by plane, car or train
• are pregnant or if you’ve had a baby in the previous 6 weeks
• are dehydrated

Sometimes DVT can happen for no obvious reason.

How DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is diagnosed

If a doctor thinks you have DVT (deep vein thrombosis), you should be referred to hospital within 24 hours for an ultrasound scan. The scan shows whether blood is flowing normally through the vein.

You may also have an X-ray of the vein (venogram). For this, you’ll be injected with a dye to show where the blood clot is.

Treatment of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

You may have an injection of a blood-thinning medicine called heparin while you’re waiting for an ultrasound scan to see if you have a DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

The main treatments include:

• blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin or rivaroxaban – you’ll probably need to take these for at least 3 months
• surgery to remove blood clots or stop them forming

If you get a DVT when you’re pregnant, you’ll have injections for the rest of the pregnancy and until your baby is 6 weeks old.

Recovery from DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

There are things you can do to help you recover from DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

After you leave hospital, you’ll be encouraged to:

• walk regularly
• keep your affected leg raised when you’re sitting
• delay any flights or long journeys until at least 2 weeks after you start taking blood-thinning medicine

How to prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis)

There are things you can do to lower your chance of getting DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Do

• stay a healthy weight

• stay active – taking regular walks can help

• drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – DVT is more likely if you’re dehydrated

Don’t

• do not sit still for long periods of time – get up and move around every hour or so

• do not cross your legs while you’re sitting

• do not smoke

• do not drink lots of alcohol

Going on a long journey

If you’re travelling for 3 hours or more by plane, train or car, there are things you can do during the journey to lower your chances of getting DVT.

These include:

• wearing loose clothing
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding alcohol
• walking around when possible

Going into hospital

If you go into hospital, your healthcare team should check if there’s a higher chance you’ll get DVT.

If they think you’re more likely to get DVT, you may be given treatment to prevent it, such as medicine or compression stockings (knee-high elastic socks that help your blood circulation), while you’re in hospital.

You may continue treatment after you leave hospital because a blood clot can happen weeks later.

You can also help protect yourself against DVT while you’re in hospital by:

• staying active and walking around if you can
• moving your toes (up and down) and ankles (in circles) if you have to stay in bed – your healthcare team may give you some exercises to do

Page last reviewed: 22 March 2023
Next review due: 22 March 2026

Symptoms in Legs, Lungs, and More

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Arms, Legs
• Heart
• Lungs
• Brain
• Belly
• Kidneys
• More

Ever get a paper cut or nick yourself while shaving? When that happens, a blood clot saves the day. It quickly stops the bleeding, and when it’s done its job, it usually breaks up. Sometimes, though, things can go wrong.

When blood clots don’t fall apart, they can be dangerous and lead to serious medical conditions. You can get them in blood vessels in just about any part of your body. They’re most likely to affect a leg, especially if you sit for long periods of time.

You might get a clot in your arteries, which carry oxygen in your blood from your heart to all the cells of your body. The result can be really serious. It can keep oxygen from getting to your heart, lungs, or brain, and cause a life-threatening emergency, like a heart attack or stroke.

You could also get a clot in the veins that carry blood back to your heart. When that happens, symptoms usually come on more gradually, but can still mean trouble.

If you learn the warning signs, you’re more likely to get quick medical help that can make a huge difference in keeping you out of the danger zone. But it’s important to know that in some cases, clots can happen with few symptoms or none at all. .

See More: Dos and Don’ts of a Blood Clot

When a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in your arm or leg, way beneath your skin’s surface, it could be something called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). That’s dangerous because the clot could travel to your heart or lungs.

You’re more likely to get a DVT if you haven’t moved around for a long time, say after surgery or during a long plane trip. Get medical help right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
• Change in color. You might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge, or gets itchy.
• Pain. As the clot gets worse, you may hurt or get sore. The feeling can range from a dull ache to intense pain. You may notice the pain throbs in your leg, belly, or even your arm.
• Warm skin. The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin.
• Trouble breathing. If this happens, it could mean that the clot has moved from your arm or leg to your lungs. You may also get a bad cough, and might even cough up blood. You may get pain in your chest or feel dizzy. Call 911 to get medical help right away.
• Lower leg cramp. If the clot is in your calf or lower leg, you may feel like you have a cramp or charley horse.
• Pitting edema. DVT can cause fluid buildup (edema) in the arms or legs. It typically happens quite quickly with DVT. When you press on the swollen area, it can cause a dimple or “pit” (pitting) that remains for a few seconds.
• Swollen, painful veins. The pain may increase with touch.

A blood clot that forms in or around your ticker may cause a heart attack. Watch out for symptoms like these:

• Severe pain in your chest and arm
• Sweating
• Trouble breathing

A blood clot in your lung usually starts out in a deep vein in your arm or leg, then breaks off and travels to your lung. When this happens, you get what’s called a pulmonary embolism, an extremely dangerous condition.

Get medical help right away if you:

• Feel short of breath or have problems breathing
• Get pain in your chest
• Start to cough
• Begin to sweat
• Feel dizzy

Blood clots here may be caused by fatty deposits in the walls of the blood vessels that bring blood to your brain. Or sometimes, they may form because of a blow to your head that leads to a concussion.

In other cases, a clot that starts out in a different part of your body, like your chest or neck, might enter your bloodstream and travel to your brain, where it can cause a stroke.

Watch out for these symptoms:

• Problems with your vision or speech
• A seizure
• General feeling of weakness

Blood clots can happen in the veins that drain blood from your intestines. They can be caused by conditions like diverticulitis or liver disease, or even by birth control pills.

How will you know if this is going on? Check with your doctor if you have problems like these:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe pain in your belly, which may be worse after you eat
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools
• A bloated feeling

A blood clot in your kidneys can keep them from removing waste from your body. That can cause high blood pressure or even kidney failure.

This is dangerous, so look out for these symptoms:

• Pain in the side of your belly, legs, or thighs
• Blood in your urine
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• High blood pressure
• Sudden severe leg swelling
• Trouble breathing

Top Picks

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and what are its symptoms

What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis is an abnormal blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis, and is thought to affect about 1 in every 1000 people in the UK.

Large DVT can travel from the veins of the legs or pelvis and travel through the venous system to the heart and then to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a very serious medical condition and can even be fatal.

While most DVTs are small, harmless, and go away on their own, it is true that many DVTs are never diagnosed and are often misrepresented by patients, doctors, and nurses as “sprained muscles” or other leg pain. Without duplex vein ultrasound by a vascular specialist (who can scan even the smallest veins in the calves), it is impossible to accurately determine the presence or absence of DVT.

Learn more about

treatments
from our specialist

How to avoid DVT

Most people have heard of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but are surprised to learn about the causes of this condition. Many people associate DVT with long-haul flights, and while this is one of the main reasons, there are many others that should be acknowledged.

If you are in the hospital for surgery, the risk of a blood clot increases. This is because DVT is more likely to occur when you are unwell or less active than usual. Pregnancy can also cause DVT. During pregnancy, blood clots more easily. This is the body’s way of preventing too much blood from being lost during childbirth. Genetics also play a role, and if someone in your family has had DVT before, then you are also more likely to have this condition.

Warning signs of deep vein thrombosis

Possible symptoms of deep vein thrombosis may include:

• Leg pain or tenderness for no apparent reason – may be above the knee, below the knee, or in both legs.
• Swelling of the ankle, ankle and calf, ankle, calf and thigh, or even of the entire leg.
• Severe pain in the leg – especially when standing or walking
• Warm skin in the area of ​​swelling
• Sometimes the skin may be slightly redder, but this is less common.
• DVT usually affects one leg but can rarely affect both.

Approximately half of patients have no symptoms or “warning signs” and are diagnosed with DVT only when complications occur.

See a specialist

If people are in doubt as to whether they are suffering from DVT or any other venous disease, they should see a venous specialist as soon as possible for duplex ultrasound and treatment advice.

Many emergency departments do a blood test and, if positive, give heparin while duplex scanning is being arranged.

If DVT is diagnosed and treated immediately, in most cases the clot resolves and the vein returns to normal. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, or if repeated DVTs occur in the same leg, deep veins can become frightened and stop working properly. This causes “post-thrombotic syndrome” (PTS), which can cause chronic leg pain and swelling, discoloration of the skin, and often leg ulcers.

It is also important to know why the blood clot formed. This may be due to varicose veins, tightness of the veins, changes in the blood (dehydration, smoking, and certain drugs) or blood flow, or even a sign of another medical condition, including abnormal blood clotting. Long flights and immobility are also factors contributing to the development of the disease.

After diagnosing and treating DVT, it is important to find the underlying cause and treat it to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT in the future.

Related articles

Varicose veins

Sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins

What are varicose veins? Varicose

Read more

26.05.2023

TREATMENT SERVICES

Contacts
Vk

Youtube

The site is for informational purposes only and under no circumstances is it a public offer, determined by the provisions of Part 2 of Art. 437 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. For detailed information about the cost of services, please contact the clinic administrator.

Make an appointment with your doctor now

Six early signs of deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a disease that can cause life-threatening complications. Timely access to a doctor is the key to effective treatment of the disease, the ability to avoid complications and return to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible.

Recall that DVT is characterized by the formation of blood clots – blood clots, usually in the deep veins of the lower extremities. It was previously believed that the prevalence of DVT is up to 160 cases per 100,000 population. However, during the Covid-19 pandemicthe prevalence of DVT has increased – violations of hemostasis caused by the virus contribute to the formation of blood clots. According to statistics, the frequency of DVT among patients and recovered from coronavirus infection reaches 20%.

What symptoms can signal early DVT?

1. Swelling of the legs

Swelling may appear exactly in the place where the blood clot formed. Sometimes the limb swells completely, but most often the swelling appears below the knee.

Edema appears only on one leg – the one on which a blood clot formed.

Edema may occur even after treatment for DVT. Post-thrombotic syndrome develops weeks or months after DVT and causes chronic swelling of the leg. This is due to damaged venous valves as a result of DVT. Because of this, stagnation of blood occurs in the limbs, causing pain and swelling.

2. Redness of the skin

Redness of the skin on the leg is caused by clogged blood vessels due to DVT. Such redness is the result of inflammation of a vein in which there is one or more blood clots. A long, thin area of ​​redness along the affected vein may be one of the signs of developing DVT.

3. Pain

Pain in the affected limb is due to impaired blood flow caused by blood clots formed in the veins. Discomfort and pain in the area of ​​the affected veins can be experienced from the moment blood clots form. The pain can range from dull to intense throbbing pain. A warning sign of DVT is pain in only one leg, with the pain often getting worse when walking or standing for a long period of time. Many people mistake this feeling for a muscle strain, but unlike the pain caused by a muscle injury, the pain caused by DVT does not go away with time.

4. Feeling of warmth

Feeling of warmth in the affected limb is one of the first symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. In some cases, only that area of ​​the skin that is directly above the affected vein is noticeably warmer.

5. Leg cramps

In general, leg cramps are a common phenomenon experienced by most, if not all people. Regular muscle spasms disappear quite quickly after massage or muscle stretching, walking, etc. However, leg cramps that don’t go away or get worse over time can be symptoms of DVT. Seizures caused by DVT may require medical attention. One way to determine if a DVT cramp is caused by a DVT cramp is to bend your ankle so that your toes are pointing up. In a normal cramp, this should relieve the pain. In the case of a spasm caused by a blood clot, the pain is likely to increase.