The Warning Signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis

A deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is also called a blood clot. Several factors can lead to a DVT, including your blood moving too slowly through your veins or if you don’t move for a long time. 

At Heart & Vascular Institute, our medical experts have the tools to recognize and treat deep vein thrombosis before it becomes a life-threatening problem. We can also help you understand why your DVT developed and suggest ways to avoid having another one. 

Potential causes of deep vein thrombosis

Many factors can impede your blood flow. Blood clots can form anywhere in your body, but they happen most often in the legs. 

Even sitting for a long time, such as on a long drive or flight, can lead to a DVT. This is because the muscles in your legs remain relaxed and the blood doesn’t flow as well as it should. 

Other common risk factors include: 

• Being on bed rest
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Conditions such as cancer or heart disease
• Smoking
• Injury to a vein due to a broken bone or surgery
• Oral birth control or hormone replacement therapy
• Infection
• Inflammation
• High cholesterol
• Family history
• Your age — risk increases after 40 and again after 60

In some cases, a DVT develops without a clear underlying cause. 

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis

Not everyone experiences symptoms when they have a DVT, but commonly observed symptoms of a blood clot in your leg include: 

• Swelling in the leg, without an injury or obvious cause
• Pain in your leg, usually in your calf, that feels like a cramp
• Red or discolored skin
• A feeling of warmth on your leg
• Enlarged veins that feel painful or hard to the touch

An untreated DVT puts you at risk of a complication called a pulmonary embolism, when the clot breaks free and causes problems in your lungs. A pulmonary embolism can be fatal. 

If you suddenly feel short of breath, have chest pain when you take a deep breath, cough up blood, or notice your heart rate becomes rapid without reason, seek medical care immediately. These are symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. 

Treating deep vein thrombosis

The most appropriate treatment for a DVT depends on many individual factors. But the goal is to prevent the clot from getting bigger or breaking free — and to prevent a future DVT. 

Your doctor may recommend medication to thin your blood, an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter that can catch a clot before it reaches your lungs, or compression socks to keep blood from pooling in your lower extremities. 

If you have questions about the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, how it can be treated, or what you can do to prevent it, call the Heart & Vascular Institute office nearest you, in Dearborn, Detroit, or Southfield, Michigan, or book your appointment online. 

We’re happy to discuss your situation and offer suggestions to help you stay healthy.