Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures that your doctor may use to diagnose VTE. Life After will explain what your doctor may recommend to prevent your VTE from recurring, getting worse, or causing complications. Research for Your Health will discuss how we are using current research and advancing research to prevent VTE.
Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Venous Thromboembolism. Signs and symptoms. Deep vein thrombosis may cause the following to occur around the area of a blood clot: Swelling Pain or tenderness Increased warmth, cramps, or aching in the area that is swollen or painful, usually the calf or thigh Red or discolored skin Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: Shortness of breath Pain with deep breathing Rapid breathing Increased heart rate Less common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include coughing, with or without blood; feelings of anxiety or dread; light-headedness or fainting; and sweating.
Possible complications of VTE include: Post-thrombotic syndrome PTS , in which poor blood flow, inflammation, and blood vessel damage from deep vein thrombosis cause swelling and discomfort. PTS is a long-lasting condition that can be disabling. With PTS, you may notice swelling, pain, itchiness, or discoloration in the affected area, along with cramping or fatigue.
The symptoms may feel worse if you have been on your feet for an extended period. In severe cases, skin sores may develop. Compression stockings may help relieve PTS symptoms.
Pulmonary hypertension , which occurs when pulmonary embolism blocks blood flow and raises blood pressure in the vessels leading to your lungs. This condition can lead to heart failure. If you develop pulmonary hypertension, you may find it hard to breathe, especially after physical activity, or you may cough up blood, notice swelling, feel tired, have palpitations , or faint.
If you still have pulmonary hypertension several months after a VTE event, your doctor may refer you to a specialist to talk about the possibility of surgery to remove a lung clot that has not gone away with treatment.
Diagnosis will discuss tests and procedures used to detect signs of blood clots and blockage and help rule out other conditions that may mimic VTE. Treatment will explain treatment-related complications or side effects of VTE, such as bleeding. Diagnosis - Venous Thromboembolism. Medical history and physical exam. Your doctor may examine your heart rate and the area that is affected and ask about your overall health, including: Your recent medical history, especially any paralysis or periods of immobilization Medicines you are taking Recent surgeries or injuries you have had Whether you have been treated for cancer.
Diagnostic tests and procedures. D-dimer test to measure a substance in the blood that is released when the fibrin proteins in a blood clot dissolve.
If the test shows high levels of the substance, you may have VTE. If your test results are normal and you have few risk factors, you likely do not have VTE. Ultrasound to look for deep vein blood clots. This test uses sound waves to create pictures of blood flowing in your veins. The person doing the test may press on your veins to see if they compress normally or if they are stiff with blood clots. Computed tomography CT angiography to take pictures of your blood vessels and look for blood clots in the lungs and legs.
This is the most common diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary angiography to confirm a pulmonary embolism if, after other testing, your doctor suspects you might have one. This test requires inserting a tube into your blood vessel. It also uses X-rays to create video of the blood flow to your lung so your doctor can identify any blood clots.
Other imaging tests to look at blood flow through your veins, heart function, and lung function if the results of previous tests could not diagnose or rule out VTE. Tests for other medical conditions. Other tests include: Blood tests to check whether you have an inherited blood clotting disorder if you have had repeated blood clots that are not related to another cause.
Blood clots in an unusual location, such as the liver, kidney, or brain, may also suggest an inherited clotting disorder. Blood tests can also measure the level of oxygen and other gases in your blood. Chest X-ray to give your doctor information about what may be causing your symptoms, such as pneumonia or fluid in the lungs.
A chest X-ray does not show whether you have a pulmonary embolism. Electrocardiogram ECG to identify other conditions that are causing signs of pulmonary embolism.
An ECG records the electrical activity of your heart. Return to Risk Factors to review family history, lifestyle, or other environmental factors that increase your risk of developing clots. Return to Screening and Prevention to review what you can do to prevent clots from forming. Treatment - Venous Thromboembolism. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, and thrombolytics are medicines commonly used to treat VTE.
Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, keep blood clots from getting larger and stop new clots from forming. Conventional blood thinners include warfarin and heparin, but newer blood-thinning medicines are also available. To take them, you might get an injection, take a pill, or have an IV tube inserted. Possible side effects include bleeding, especially if you are taking other medicines that also thin your blood, such as aspirin.
Thrombin inhibitors interfere with the process of clot formation. They may be used for people who cannot take heparin. Thrombolytics may be used to dissolve large blood clots that cause severe symptoms or other serious complications. Because thrombolytics can cause sudden bleeding, they are used only for serious and potentially life-threatening VTE events, such as pulmonary embolism. Catheter-assisted thrombus removal.
Vena cava filter. Life After will discuss what your doctor may recommend, including lifelong lifestyle changes and medical care to prevent your condition from recurring, getting worse, or causing complications.
Research for Your Health will explain how we are using current research and advancing research to treat people who have VTE. Life After - Venous Thromboembolism. Receive routine follow-up care. Tell your doctor if symptoms such as pain or swelling continue. Your doctor may prescribe graduated compression stockings to give you relief.
Take all medicines as prescribed. You will probably keep taking medicines to treat VTE for three months or longer. The most common side effect of blood thinners is bleeding. This side effect can be life-threatening. Check your legs for any signs or symptoms of deep vein clotting, such as swollen areas, pain or tenderness, increased warmth in swollen or painful areas, or red or discolored skin.
If you think you may have another deep vein clot or are having symptoms of pulmonary embolism, contact your doctor right away. Tell your doctor if you notice that you bruise easily; have unexpected bleeding, such as when you floss or go to the toilet; or have unusually heavy menstrual periods. Monitor your condition. To monitor your condition, your doctor may recommend the following tests: Blood tests to monitor the proper dose of medicine so that adjustments can be made as necessary.
If you are taking warfarin to treat VTE, you will need to take regular tests that show how long it takes for your blood to clot. The FDA has approved several devices for self-testing. Your doctor may also run regular blood tests to check your kidneys or liver if you have been taking other blood-thinning medicines for more than a year.
This will help your doctor make sure your body can still tolerate the medicine well. Ultrasounds to monitor your blood clot. Find out more tips to reduce your risk of travel-related DVT. If you go into hospital, your healthcare team should check your risks of 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:. Page last reviewed: 23 October Next review due: 23 October DVT deep vein thrombosis. Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call if:. You think you have DVT. Almost anyone can have a DVT. However, certain factors can increase the chance of having this condition.
The chance increases even more for someone who has more than one of these factors at the same time. About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body:. That is why it is important for you to seek medical care if you experience any of the symptoms of DVT or PE. Medication is used to prevent and treat DVT. Compression stockings also called graduated compression stockings are sometimes recommended to prevent DVT and relieve pain and swelling.
These might need to be worn for 2 years or more after having DVT. In severe cases, the clot might need to be removed surgically. Immediate medical attention is necessary to treat PE. In cases of severe, life-threatening PE, there are medicines called thrombolytics that can dissolve the clot. Other medicines, called anticoagulants, may be prescribed to prevent more clots from forming. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of DVT.
Risk factors for DVT include:. Pulmonary embolism PE. PE is a potentially life-threatening complication associated with DVT.
It occurs when a blood vessel in your lung becomes blocked by a blood clot thrombus that travels to your lung from another part of your body, usually your leg. It's important to get immediate medical help if you have signs and symptoms of PE.
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain while inhaling or coughing, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, feeling faint or fainting, and coughing up blood may occur with a PE. If you're on a plane, stand or walk occasionally. If you can't do that, exercise your lower legs. Try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes with your heels on the floor.
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