Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot that develops in a deep vein, can cause pain, warmth, swelling, or redness (often in your calf muscle) that doesn’t go away.
A DVT can be hard to recognize because oftentimes it comes without symptoms. About 50% of people with DVT have no symptoms. The absence of symptoms does not mean there’s no cause for concern.
“Being asymptomatic with a DVT does not necessarily mean it is less serious, as many DVTs can remain hidden,” says Irfan Imami, MD, a vascular surgeon at Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute in Orlando, Florida.
In fact, DVT’s most serious complication — pulmonary embolism (PE) — affects up to half of patients with DVT without any symptoms Imami says. PE occurs when the DVT blood clot breaks away from its initial location and travels through your bloodstream to your lungs. Once there, it can create a blockage that cuts off blood flow to your lungs. This can quickly damage your lungs as well as your heart. PE can be fatal if not treated quickly.
If you’re over 40, you smoke, you have obesity, or you sit for long periods, your risk for DVT is higher, so stay alert for signs of a problem. Talk to your doctor right away if you think you might have DVT.
Other factors that increase your risk for DVT include:
- Recent surgery
- Long periods of bed rest
- Previous blood clots or a family history of blood clots
- Certain cancers and cancer treatments
- Treatment with drugs containing the hormone estrogen, such as birth control and hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy
- Varicose veins
- Using tobacco products
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
“Getting checked early can prevent the clot from growing and can greatly reduce the risk of a pulmonary embolism,” says Jonathan Schor, MD, the director of vascular and endovascular surgery at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York.
What Are DVT Symptoms?
Call your doctor right away if you have these DVT symptoms, especially if they appear suddenly. These can include:
- Swelling in one leg (DVT does not usually affect both legs at the same time; the swelling may occur only around your calf muscle, but it can affect your entire leg)
- Pain or tenderness in your leg, ankle, foot, or arm, which may feel like a cramp in your calf (often worsens when you stand up or walk)
- Warm skin on the affected area of your leg
- Red, purplish, or bluish discolored skin on your leg
- Veins that are visibly swollen, red, hard, or tender to the touch
“These symptoms can appear either suddenly or gradually,” says Schor. “Swelling and calf discomfort are usually the first symptoms to occur.”
You’re most likely to develop DVT in one of your legs. However, up to 10% occur in an arm.
What affects how strong symptoms will be?
“Whether someone has symptoms depends on a few factors, such as where the clot is located, how big it is, and how quickly it formed,” says Schor. “Clots higher up in the leg tend to cause more noticeable symptoms, while smaller clots in the lower leg often cause few or no symptoms.”
According to Imami, if you have a clot in your thigh or pelvic region, it can cause more severe symptoms. That’s because larger veins are involved.
The level of blockage also plays a part. A completely blocked vein will lead to more severe symptoms than a partially blocked vein, Imami says. In some cases, he adds, blood flow bypasses the blockage by moving through other veins. This is called collateral circulation.
Another factor he mentions is inflammation. When a DVT forms, it triggers your immune system’s inflammatory response.
“A strong inflammatory response leads to increased tenderness, warmth, and redness,” Imami says.
How to Check if You Have a DVT at Home
The short answer: you shouldn’t. If you think you have DVT, call your doctor or go to the emergency room rather than trying to diagnose yourself.
Experts strongly advise against testing for a DVT at home.
“The real risk is that someone may think they’re fine and avoid seeking care when they need medical attention,” Schor says. “An ultrasound is needed to make the diagnosis.”
What Should I Do if I Suspect I Have DVT?
Call your doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency room, Imami says.
“Patients who experience new, unexplained, one-sided leg pain, swelling, or warmth should seek medical attention immediately,” says Imami. “Waiting to see if these symptoms resolve can delay diagnosis when a clot is most likely to cause a pulmonary embolism.”
Getting diagnosed quickly and starting treatment can keep your DVT from getting larger; it will also greatly lower your risk of a pulmonary embolism, says Schor.
“The important point is that the only way to reliably diagnose a DVT is with an ultrasound,” Schor says. “There is no home test or physical exam that will reliably answer the question. Once there is concern, a prompt ultrasound needs to be performed.”
Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE)
If you have a blood clot and it breaks free, it could travel to your lungs. That’s called a PE, and it can be deadly. Like DVT, it may not cause symptoms.
PE is the most dangerous complication of DVT. If a clot breaks away and travels to your lungs, it can be quickly fatal. Prompt treatment can save your life. Like DVT, PE does not always cause symptoms.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if you have leg pain or any of the following serious symptoms:
- Sudden coughing, which may bring up blood
- Sharp chest pain or tightness that may get worse with breathing or exertion
- Pain in your shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath, even when you’re at rest
- Pain when you breathe
- Fast heartbeat
- Clammy, pale, or bluish skin changes
- Sweating a lot
- Feeling anxious, lightheaded, faint, or passing out
What Is the Difference Between Embolism and Thrombosis?
Thrombosis is a condition like DVT in which a blood clot (or thrombus) forms in a blood vessel or in your heart. That clot can break away and move through your blood vessels to somewhere else in your body.
A traveling clot is called an embolus. If an embolus gets stuck in a smaller blood vessel, it can create a blockage called an embolism. A pulmonary embolism is one example. An embolism in your brain can cause a stroke.
When to See a Doctor?
You should see your doctor or go to the emergency room if you suspect you have a DVT. Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away. The faster you get diagnosed and treated, the less likely you are to develop a pulmonary embolism.
Takeaways
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious but treatable condition that should not be ignored. Though it’s not life-threatening on its own, DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Know the symptoms of DVT and call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if they develop.
DVT Symptoms FAQs
What are the first signs of DVT?
Leg pain and swelling are usually the first symptoms of DVT. However, as many as half of the people with DVT do not have symptoms.
How quickly do DVT symptoms occur?
This varies. In some cases, symptoms develop gradually, while in others they come on suddenly.
What are the warning signs of a blood clot?
- Swelling in one leg
- Pain or tenderness in the leg, especially in the calf
- Changes in skin color, such as redness or a bluish tint
- Warmth in the affected area
- Changes in surface veins, such as bulging or hardness
Other possible signs include:
- Heaviness in one leg
- Tight or shiny skin
- Pain that gets worse when standing or walking
How to test for DVT at home
Don’t try to self-diagnose DVT. Experts say any test you do at home may be inaccurate and suggest you don’t have a DVT when in fact you do. If you suspect you have DVT, call your doctor or go to the emergency room.
