The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that as many as 900,000 people in the U.S. may be suffering from deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—and many of them may not even know it. Recognizing the warning signs of DVT is vital for prompt treatment and preventing serious complications. This condition often involves pain and swelling, but interestingly, only about half of those diagnosed with DVT experience noticeable symptoms. If left untreated, DVT can be dangerous, even life-threatening. Let’s explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for DVT.
Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis is the medical term describing a blood clot (thrombus) that develops in one or more of the deep veins in your body, typically in the legs, though it can also form in the arms. Annually, over 100,000 deaths occur due to complications from blood clots. A significant danger of DVT is a clot breaking loose and traveling to the lungs, leading to a pulmonary embolism, which obstructs blood flow and becomes a medical emergency.
What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Deep vein thrombosis can develop without any apparent risk factor being present. However, most cases of this condition are caused by damage to a vein during a surgical procedure or because of inflammation caused by an injury or an infection.
Some people are at greater risk for developing DVT. These risk factors include:
- Sitting for extended periods of time
- Excessive bed rest
- Age (the risk for DVT increase after age 60)
- Paralysis
- Suffering an injury
- Having a surgery
- Being overweight or obese
- Pregnancy
- Using birth control pills
- Taking hormone replacement therapy
- Smoking
In some cases, a person’s genetic makeup makes them more vulnerable to the development of this condition. If you have a relative that suffered from DVT, you’ll want to pay extra close attention to any DVT symptoms that might occur.
What Are the Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
The two major symptoms of DVT are pain and swelling. Typically, the swelling only occurs in one leg or arm depending on where the blood clot is located. The pain tends to feel like cramping or it may just involve a soreness that lingers. The affected area may feel warm. The skin on the extremity may become red or discolored. Sometimes the skin may appear bluish.
If the DVT occurs in the upper portion of the body, the individual might experience neck or shoulder pain. Their arm or hand may swell and the skin could also become discolored. The limb may feel weak as well as sore.
A person experiencing these symptoms should certainly see their healthcare provider. However, DVT can lead to serious complications such as a pulmonary embolism. The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
These symptoms require immediate medical attention. A pulmonary embolism is a health emergency. Unfortunately, many people don’t have any symptoms of DVT or they may ignore symptoms thinking that the pain is due to something else, something minor. Anyone with risk factors for the condition should not ignore even the slightest symptoms that could point to DVT.
Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis
If your doctor suspects DVT, they may recommend:
- Ultrasound (most common DVT test)
- Venogram (used if ultrasound results are inconclusive)
- D-dimer test (detects fragments of blood clot breakdown)
Effective Strategies on How to Treat Deep Vein Thrombosis
Treatment aims to prevent the clot from growing and new clots from forming, and in severe cases, addressing any clots that could migrate to the lungs:
- Blood thinners: These medications help prevent existing clots from enlarging and new ones from forming.
- Clot busters: For severe cases of DVT, these drugs are administered directly into the clot through a catheter, designed to dissolve the clot quickly.
- Filters: In cases where blood thinners are not suitable, your doctor might install a filter in the vena cava to prevent clots from reaching the lungs.
- Compression stockings: Often recommended to prevent blood pooling and leg clots.
On a preventative note, making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and taking regular breaks from sitting can significantly reduce DVT risks.
Tips to Reduce the Risk for DVT
Unfortunately, people can’t reduce all the risk factors for developing DVT, but they can reduce some. For instance, making lifestyle changes like losing weight and stopping smoking can reduce the risk for developing blood clots in deep veins. People who have an occupation where they sit for long periods of time should take stand-up breaks to help prevent blood from pooling and possibly forming into clots.
Need Expert Care?
If you notice any symptoms of DVT or have been diagnosed with this condition, do not hesitate. Reach out to us at Coastal Vascular Center. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of DVT and other vascular conditions including dialysis. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Effective treatment is crucial and can help manage the condition while preventing further complications.
