Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but also can occur with no symptoms.
Deep vein thrombosis can develop if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. It can also happen if you do not move for a long time, such as after surgery or an accident, or when you are confined to bed.
Deep vein thrombosis can be very serious because blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs, blocking blood flow (pulmonary embolism).
Key Facts
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body.
- A blood clot is a clump of blood that has turned to a solid state.
- Deep vein blood clots typically form in your thigh or lower leg, but they can also develop in other areas of your body.
- Other names associated with this condition may include thromboembolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and postphlebitic syndrome.
- If blood moves too slowly through your veins, it can cause a clump of blood cells called a clot.
- When a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside your body, it causes what doctors call deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- This is most likely to happen in your lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. But it can occur in other parts of your body, too.
Symptoms
Deep vein thrombosis signs and symptoms can include:
- Swelling in the affected leg. Rarely, there Is swelling in both legs.
- Pain in your leg. The pain often starts in your calf and can feel like cramping or soreness.
- Red or discoloured skin on the leg.
- A feeling of warmth in the affected leg.
Deep vein thrombosis can occur without noticeable symptoms.
Diagnosis
- Ultrasound. A wand-like device (transducer) placed over the part of your body where there is a clot sends sound waves into the area. As the sound waves travel through your tissue and reflect back, a computer transforms the waves into a moving image on a video screen. A clot might be visible in the image.
Sometimes a series of ultrasounds are done over several days to determine whether a blood clot is growing or to check for a new one.
- Blood test. Almost all people who develop severe deep vein thrombosis have an elevated blood level of a substance called D dimer.
- Venography. A dye is injected into a large vein in your foot or ankle. An X-ray creates an image of the veins in your legs and feet, to look for clots. However, less invasive methods of diagnosis, such as ultrasound, can usually confirm the diagnosis.
- CT or MRI scans. Either can provide visual images of your veins and might show if you have a clot. Sometimes these scans performed for other reasons reveal a clot
Causes
DVT is caused by a blood clot. The clot blocks a vein, preventing blood from properly circulating in your body. Clotting may occur for several reasons. These include:
- Injury. Damage to a blood vessel’s wall can narrow or block blood flow. A blood clot may form as a result.
- Surgery. Blood vessels can be damaged during surgery, which can lead to the development of a blood clot. Bed rest with little to no movement after surgery may also increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
- Reduced mobility or inactivity. When you sit frequently, blood can collect in your legs, especially the lower parts. If you are unable to move for extended periods of time, the blood flow in your legs can slow down. This can cause a clot to develop.
- Certain medications. Some medications increase the chances your blood will form a clot.
Prevention
- Check-in with your doctor regularly to see if your treatment needs to be modified. If you are taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), you will need a blood test to see how well your blood is clotting.
- Take your blood thinners as directed. If you have had DVT, you will be on blood thinners for at least three to six months.
- Watch for excessive bleeding, which can be a side effect of taking blood thinners. Talk to your doctor about activities that could cause you to bruise or get cut, as even a minor injury could become serious if you are taking blood thinners.
- Move. If you have been on bed rest because of surgery or other factors, the sooner you get moving, the less likely blood clots will develop.
Wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots in the legs if your doctor recommends them.
Deep vein thrombosis treatment options include:
- Blood thinners. Deep vein thrombosis is most commonly treated with anticoagulants, also called blood thinners. These drugs, which can be injected or taken as pills, decrease your blood’s ability to clot. They do not break up existing blood clots, but they can prevent clots from getting bigger and reduce your risk of developing more clots.
- Clot busters. If you have a more serious type of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or if other medications are not working, your doctor might prescribe drugs that break up clots quickly, called clot busters or thrombolytics.
These drugs are either given through an IV line to break up blood clots or through a catheter placed directly into the clot. These drugs can cause serious bleeding, so they are generally reserved for severe cases of blood clots.
- Filters. If you cannot take medicines to thin your blood, you might have a filter inserted into a large vein — the vena cava — in your abdomen. A vena cava filter prevents clots that break loose from lodging in your lungs.
Compression stockings. To help prevent swelling associated with deep vein thrombosis, these are worn on your legs from your feet to about the level of your knees.
A healthy lifestyle is important for preventing DVT and helping to avoid life-threatening complications. Plus, a healthy lifestyle incorporates many of the changes that are necessary to prevent blood clots. This includes moving more, quitting smoking, and losing weight.
You can lower your risk for DVT and blood clots with a healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains deliver essential vitamins and minerals.
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