In fact, about one-third of people with DVT develop long-term complications. Pulmonary embolism. Joseph Health in Orange, Calif.
A PE occurs when a piece of a clot breaks off and travels in the bloodstream to the lungs. If the clot is big enough, it can prevent blood from reaching the lungs, and the result of the cutting off of blood supply to the lungs can be fatal. About 25 percent of people experience sudden death from PE. In addition to the signs and symptoms of DVT — which include swelling, pain, and tenderness in the leg, and skin that feels warm and may be discolored — the signs of PE include chest pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath , and coughing up blood.
About one-third of people who have PE will have another episode within a decade. Heart failure. Are a smoker. Take birth control pills or receive hormone therapy, including for postmenopausal symptoms. How is DVT diagnosed? Can DVT be prevented or avoided? Get frequent exercise. If you are inactive for a long period of time, move your legs around. Get up every hour or so and walk around, if you can. If you must stay seated, do lower leg exercises.
With your feet flat on the ground, alternate lifting your heels and toes. This stretches your calves and keeps up your blood flow.
Stretch your legs and lightly massage your muscles. Get out of bed and move around as soon as you can after being ill or having surgery. Control your blood pressure. Do not smoke. Lose weight if you are overweight. DVT treatment. The main goals of DVT treatment are to: Stop the clot from getting bigger. Prevent the clot from breaking off and traveling to your lungs. Prevent future blood clots. Living with DVT. Questions to ask your doctor. What is the likely cause of my DVT? What is the best treatment for me?
How long do I need to take anticoagulants? What are the side effects or risks? Can I drink alcohol or exercise while using anticoagulants? Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to reduce my risk of blood clots? If I have DVT once, what is my risk of having future blood clots? Is it safe for me to travel? If you have DVT, you may experience discomfort in your leg. However, the condition can occur without any symptoms.
If you see signs or symptoms of DVT, talk to your doctor. If you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Some types of cancer or cancer treatment may increase levels of certain substances in your blood that cause clots. If you have heart failure , you are at an increased risk for DVT and pulmonary embolism due to limited heart and lung function. Being overweight or obese increases the pressure in the veins of your legs and pelvis, raising the risk of clots.
This risk increases during pregnancy women with an inherited clotting disorder are at higher risk and for up to six weeks after giving birth. Using birth control pills oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy can also increase your blood's clotting abilities. Finally, sitting for long periods of time as in airplane travel or long car trips can increase your risk for DVT. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners , are usually the first-choice treatment for DVT.
Although anticoagulants don't break up existing clots, they can prevent the clot from growing in size and prevent new clots from forming. When you start anticoagulation therapy by injection, your doctor will often administer the first few doses, after which you may be able to administer the injections on your own.
Injectable blood thinners include these examples:. If your doctor prescribes oral anticoagulation therapy — such as Coumadin warfarin , Xarelto riv aroxaban , Eliquis apixaban , or Savaysa exoxaban — you will typically take these medications for three months or longer.
Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to check how long it takes for your blood to clot. All blood thinners must be taken as prescribed to avoid serious side effects. Also known as tissue plasminogen activators, thrombolytics are given intravenously by IV or through a catheter positioned near an existing blood clot. They are designed to break up clots. Thrombolytics can cause serious bleeding. They are used only in life-threatening situations and only if you are hospitalized.
Obesity and inactivity in a person who has varicose veins are two of the major risk factors for DVT. Anything that irritates the wall of the vein, such as a pacemaker or intravenous catheter, increases the risk of thrombophlebitis. Pregnancy and childbirth, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, a family history of blood-clotting disorders or a stroke are other risk factors. Smokers, those who have cancer or are older than 60 are also at increased risk.
The most serious risk of untreated DVT is a pulmonary embolism. This occurs when a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. It is an emergency situation and can be fatal. A pulmonary embolism can restrict blood flow to the heart, causing a strain that results in heart enlargement. Post-thrombotic syndrome, or post-phlebitic syndrome, occurs when blood clots form in the legs and obstruct blood flow.
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