Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a fairly rare condition, impacting only two to five percent of people in their lifetime. However, it is the third most common type of vascular disease. When this condition develops, it’s important to get prompt attention from a vascular doctor because it can be a serious and even deadly condition.

Deep Vein Thrombosis FAQs

Thrombus is the medical name for a blood clot, so deep vein thrombosis is when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in your body. Most often, deep vein thrombosis develops in the legs. Discovering DVT can be tricky because sometimes individuals will have no noticeable symptoms, but the most common symptoms are leg pain and swelling.

Individuals will be most prone to deep vein thrombosis and should be more aware if they meet any of the following conditions:

  • Previous injury to the veins – This damage may have been caused by surgery, injury, infection or conditions causing inflammation. A history of pelvic health surgery, bariatric or orthopedic procedures to the hip or the knee tend to be correlated to an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.
  • Clotting disorders – Any disease or condition that may cause your blood to clot more easily may put you at higher risk for DVT. That could include types of heart disease, lung disease, cancer or certain autoimmune disorders.
  • Estrogen therapy – Hormone replacement therapy and hormonal birth control may put you at higher risk for DVT.
  • Sustained inactivity – Many people develop DVT when they remain inactive for a long period of time, like on an airplane flight or a long drive. It’s recommended to regularly get up and move or do stretches in your seat.

  • Swelling in any part of the leg
  • Pain, cramping or soreness that starts in the calf
  • The leg turning red, blue or purple
  • Warmth radiating from the leg

Yes, this condition can be serious. Any time a blood clot forms, it runs the risk of breaking apart and travelling through the blood stream up to the lungs. When this happens, an individual could develop a pulmonary embolism, a condition where a blood clot lodges in an artery in the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening event that can damage the other organs in the body and even lead to death.

Signs of pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, rapid pulse and coughing up blood. If you are having any of these symptoms, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

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Treating Deep Vein Thrombosis

Your provider may recommend one or more of the following treatment options for deep vein thrombosis:

  • Compression stockings
  • Blood thinning medications – An oral medication that help prevent the clot from growing and reduce the risk of more clots developing. With blood thinners, sometimes deep vein thrombosis will resolve entirely.
  • Thrombolytics – This type of medication is usually only prescribed if the patient has particularly serious DVT or if other medications are not working. It is administered intravenously or through a catheter in-office.
  • Filters – For patients who cannot take blood thinners, a filter can be placed in a larger vein to prevent the clot from breaking free and moving into the lungs.

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16 Specialty Services From Over
30 Skilled Surgeons

Today our network extends to more than 6 cities in the region. Search our network of surgeons and nurse practitioners by specialty or location.

16 Specialty Services From Over
30 Skilled Surgeons

Today our network extends to more than 6 cities in the region. Search our network of surgeons and nurse practitioners by specialty or location.