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Causes
Symptoms
Exams and Tests
Diagnosis
Treatment
Managing Deep Vein Thrombosis
Self-Care for Deep Vein Thrombosis Patients
Caring for those with Deep Vein Thrombosis
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where there is a blood clot, or clump of coagulated blood, blocking or partially blocking blood flow in a vein deep in the body. DVTs usually occur and remain in the leg veins and produce symptoms in the area of the leg around the clot. In less common but often unpredictable cases, the clot may break off and “embolize” or travel through the blood stream and lodge in the brain, lungs, or heart causing severe damage to that organ and even death.
There are many factors that may increase your risk for DVT:
- An inherited condition that causes increased risk for clotting
- Low blood flow in a deep vein, due to injury, surgery, or lack of mobility (bed rest)
- Cancer and its treatment
- Varicose veins
- Sitting for a long period of time like on a long trips in a car or on an airplane
- Pregnancy, especially the first 6 weeks after giving birth
- Being over 60 years of age (although DVT can occur in any age group)
- Being overweight
- Taking estrogen containing birth control pills or hormone therapy for postmenopausal symptoms
Your risk for DVT increases if you have several risk factors at the same time. For example, a woman with an inherited condition for clotting who also takes birth control pills has an even higher risk to have a blood clot.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Only about half of the people with a DVT have symptoms. The symptoms may include:
- Swelling of the leg or area where the clot is
- Pain or tenderness in the leg-the pain is usually in one leg and may only be present when standing or walking
- Feeling of increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen or that hurts
- Red or discolored skin.
In comparison, symptoms of a clot that has embolized to the lungs (a “pulmonary embolism”) are similar to symptoms seen with a bad heart and/or lung condition such as a heart attack, heart failure, or pneumonia.
- Chest pain when you take a deep breath
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Coughing up blood
Some people only find out they have a DVT after the clot has moved from the leg and traveled to the lung (pulmonary embolism). It is important to see a doctor right away if you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism or DVT.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Exams and Tests For Deep Vein Thrombosis
Duplex ultrasound is the most common test used to diagnose DVT. It uses sound waves to evaluate the flow of blood in your veins and see where clots may obstruct the blood flow. If the ultrasound does not show a DVT on the initial test, your doctor may repeat the ultrasound over several days and start medication therapy in the mean time until the diagnosis is determined. If the Duplex ultrasound does not provide a clear diagnosis, venography may be performed where dye is injected into the veins and an x-ray used to see if there are any areas the dye does not show up, showing a clot. Venography is not used very commonly given the risks and invasiveness of the dye and relative ease of the ultrasound testing.
If your doctor suspects that an inherited disorder could be causing your DVT, the doctor may do additional blood tests for these disorders. In addition, depending on your medication treatment, additional blood tests may be necessary to monitor medication therapy.
Source: Adapted from the National Institutes of Health
Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnosis
DVT is initially diagnosed by an assessment of risk factors in combination with symptoms suggesting a DVT and then the suspicion is confirmed by testing such duplex ultrasound or in less common cases, venography. In some cases, blood tests of coagulation disorders will also confirm if a person is at risk for future DVT and receive life-long medication therapy.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment
Certain injectable and oral medications are given to treat or prevent DVT in people with risk factors or those who have had a previous DVT. These medications also help prevent the DVT from embolizing to organs in the body and reduce your chance of having another blood clot. Commonly, these medications are called “anticoagulants” and help lessen your blood’s ability to clot. This prevents the DVT from getting larger, allowing the clot to dissolve over a short time while preventing other clots from developing. In people with significant risk for developing DVT, these medications are given for a set duration of time (3-6 months) or life-long in people with inherited coagulation disorders.
The most common side effects of these medications is bleeding which can be minor or more severe. You should report signs of easy bruising or bleeding to your doctor right away. Treatment for DVT usually lasts for 3 to 6 months; however treatments may be shorter or longer depending on each person’s situation.
Source: Adapted from National Institutes of Health
Managing Deep Vein Thrombosis
Ideally, it is best to recognize the risks of DVT and prevent the condition from occurring. For people with a DVT, the goal of treatment is to get rid of the current DVT and to prevent further clots from developing. For people who have had a DVT, prevention includes taking your medications to prevent or treat blood clots as prescribed by your doctor and following up with your doctor for medication changes and blood tests to make sure your dosage of medication is correct.
If a person has never had a DVT, but is in a situation that may increase their risk, prevention includes exercising your lower leg muscles if you will be sitting for long periods of time, getting out of bed and moving around as soon as you are able after having surgery or being ill, and taking medications that prevent clots after certain types of surgery as directed by your doctor.
Source: Adapted from National Institutes of Health
Self-Care For Deep Vein Thrombosis Patients
Prevention and early diagnosis of DVT has a significant impact on the care of patients at risk for developing a DVT. Empower yourself with information about risk factors for DVT, protect yourself if you are at risk by exercising or increasing your mobility, monitor for symptoms, and seek immediate medical attention if a blood clot is suspected.
Source: Adapted from the National Institutes of Health
Caring For Those With Deep Vein Thrombosis
Friends and family members can help a patient with DVT or at risk for a DVT by learning about the risk factors, the symptoms of DVT, and understanding how treatment or prophylaxis of DVT affects the patient's life. Friends and family can provide emotional and physical assistance. Their support can make it easier to cope.
Source: Adapted from National Institutes of Health
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