Overview
DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in the vein, usually 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.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 Wales if:
- you think you have DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You have symptoms of DVT, such as pain and swelling and:
- breathlessness
- chest pain
DVT can be very serious because blood clots in your veins 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
A DVT 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 is diagnosed
If a doctor thinks you have DVT, 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 will be injected with a dye to show where the blood clot is.
Treatment of DVT
You may have an injection of an anticoagulant (blood thinning) medicine called heparin while you're waiting for an ultrasound scan to tell if you have a DVT.
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
Some lifestyle measures will help you recover from DVT.
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 blood-thinning medicine
How to prevent DVT
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, it can restrict blood flow
- 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 reduce your risk of 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