Deep vein thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms inside a vein, usually in the leg. In the UK, DVT affects around 1 person in every 1000 each year.

Swelling is one of the main symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), though it isn't always easy to notice. It can happen anywhere in your leg, but it usually shows up at the back of the leg.

Other symptoms of DVT include:

• tenderness
• throbbing pain (if the clot is in your leg, the pain is usually in the calf or thigh when you walk or stand up, and it may be worse when you bend your foot upwards towards your knee)
• a heavy ache in the affected area
• red or darkened skin around the painful area (depending on your skin tone, this may be difficult to see)
• warm skin around the painful area
• 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.

You have symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), like pain and swelling, along with:

• breathlessness
• chest pain

• you think you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Anyone can develop DVT (deep vein thrombosis), but the risk goes up as you get older. You're also more likely to get DVT if you:

• are inactive for long periods, for example after an operation or during a long journey
• have had DVT, a pulmonary embolism or a blood clot before
• have a family history of DVT, pulmonary embolism or blood clots
• have damaged blood vessels, for example from an injury or a condition like varicose veins
• are pregnant or have given birth in the last 6 weeks
• take the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• have cancer
• have heart or lung disease
• smoke
• are overweight or obese

Sometimes DVT can happen for no obvious reason.

If your doctor thinks you may have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you will need some tests. These include a specific blood test called a D dimer, and/or an ultrasound. The ultrasound scan shows whether blood is flowing normally through the veins or whether there are any clots.

You may also need an X-ray of the vein, called a venogram. For this, you'll be injected with a dye so the clot can be seen and its position shown.

There are a few ways to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Your doctors and nurses will decide which one suits your symptoms best.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is treated with anticoagulant medicines, and warfarin and apixaban are two examples.

People often call anticoagulants "blood-thinning" medicines, but they don't actually thin the blood. What they do is change certain proteins in the blood, so clots can't form as easily.

If you're given an anticoagulant like warfarin, you may need to take it for at least 3 months.

Your doctor will prescribe compression socks to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These are knee-high elastic socks, and they help your blood circulate.

The socks can ease the symptoms of DVT, including pain and swelling. They can also help prevent complications of DVT.

Once you've been given compression socks, your doctor may advise you to walk regularly. Walking can help prevent symptoms of DVT and reduce or prevent complications.

A few people with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may need surgery. If that's you, the doctor may suggest fitting an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter to treat your symptoms. This is a small mesh device that is placed in a vein, and it can help prevent blood clots from developing.

If you have DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in your leg, your doctor may advise you to raise the leg whenever you're resting. It eases the pressure in the veins of the calf and stops blood and fluid from pooling there.

Make sure your foot is higher than your hip when you do this. If you're lying down, you can slide a cushion under your leg to get it into the right position.

Making some changes to your lifestyle can lower your risk of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

• eat a healthy, balanced diet
• keep active
• stay a healthy weight

• do not smoke
• do not sit down for long periods
• do not drink lots of alcohol
• do not cross your legs when you're sitting down

If you need to go into hospital for surgery, the doctors and nurses looking after you will check your risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

If you're at risk, you may be given treatment to prevent it. For example, you may need to wear compression socks or take medicine. You may need to carry on with these treatments after you leave hospital, because the risk of DVT is still there.

While you're in hospital, try to move around as much as you can. The team looking after you may give you exercises to do.

If you have to travel a long distance, or for more than 3 hours, there are some steps that can help you avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You should:

• drink plenty of water
• do some leg exercises, such as flexing your ankles
• take regular short walking breaks
• avoid drinking lots of alcohol
• wear compression socks

If you've had DVT in the past, or you're at risk of it, speak to a doctor before you plan any long-distance travel.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be very serious, because a blood clot can travel to the lungs. When that happens, it's called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, and it needs to be treated quickly.

If you've had a DVT, you can go on to develop long-term symptoms such as pain and swelling. This is known as post-thrombotic syndrome.