What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Deep vein thrombosis, commonly referred to as “DVT,” occurs
when a blood clot or thrombus, develops in the large veins
of the legs or pelvic area. Some DVTs may cause no pain,
whereas others can be quite painful. With prompt diagnosis and
treatment, the majority of DVT’s are not life threatening. However,
a blood clot that forms in the invisible “deep veins” can
be life threatening. A clot that forms in the large, deep veins is
more likely to break free and travel through the vein. It is then
called an embolus. When an embolus travels from the legs or
pelvic areas and lodges in a lung artery, the condition is known
as a “pulmonary embolism,” or PE, a potentially fatal condition
if not immediately diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms
Approximately one-half of those with a DVT never have recognizable
symptoms. The most common symptom is leg pain and
tenderness in the calf muscles. One may also observe swelling
or a change in color of one leg to purple or blue. These signs
and symptoms may appear suddenly or may steadily develop
over a short period of time. If you observe these signs or symptoms,
you should contact your doctor immediately.
Symptoms are quite different if the clot breaks loose and
travels to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). The
symptoms of PE include chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid
pulse, or a cough. There may also be a feeling of apprehension,
sweating, or fainting. Such symptoms are not specific to a PE,
and can occur with pneumonia, heart attack, and other medical
conditions.
These are always critical symptoms that
demand immediate medical attention.
Most common Signs and Symptoms of DVT
These symptoms can develop slowly or suddenly. If
you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
• Sudden swelling of one limb
• Pain or tenderness
• Skin that is warm to the touch
• Fullness of the veins just beneath the skin
• Change in color (blue, red or very pale)
fighting VASCULAR DISEASE.