Deep vein thrombosis, commonly abbreviated as DVT, occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins of the body, typically the leg. While the condition often appears minor at first, an untreated DVT can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is potentially fatal.
What are risk factors for DVT?
DVT develops when blood flow slows down, when the blood becomes more prone to clotting, or when the lining of a vein is hindered. Several factors can worsen these conditions.
- —Prolonged immobility: flights, long car rides, sitting down for too long
- —Recent surgeries, especially hip or knee replacements
- —Cancers and certain cancer treatments
- —Pregnancy
- —Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapies
- —Inherited clotting disorders (thrombophilia)
- —Obesity
- —Previous history of DVT or pulmonary embolism
- —Age over 60
Recognizing the Symptoms
Many people with DVT have no symptoms at all. This makes DVT incredibly dangerous. When symptoms do appear, they typically affect one leg and may include:
- —Swelling in the leg, ankle, or foot
- —Pain or tenderness, often described as a cramp or soreness
- —Redness or discoloration of the skin
- —A feeling of warmth in the affected area
- —Unusual warmth
If you develop sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or cough up blood, please call 911 immediately. These can be signs that a clot has reached your lungs.
How Is DVT Diagnosed?
Cardiologists use a Venous Duplex to screen for DVT. This is a non-invasive, painless scan that uses sound waves to scan blood flow through veins. The test can identify clots, assess their size, and determine whether their age. Results are typically available the same day.
Blood tests such as a D-dimer can suggest the possibility of a clot, but they are not specific enough to confirm DVT. Cardiac ultrasound is the most definitive diagnostic.
Why Prompt Testing Is Vital
The timeframe between DVT onset and a serious complication is short. Waiting weeks for a hospital imaging appointment or spending hours in an emergency room is not always necessary. A same-day venous duplex ultrasound can get answers quickly, allowing your doctor to start treatment immediately if needed.
If you have a swollen, painful leg and any of the symptoms or risk factors above, it's important to get immediate screening. Same-day DVT testing is available at Heartwell STAT Imaging, with no ER required.
Treatment Options
If DVT is confirmed, treatment typically involves anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) to prevent the clot from expanding and to reduce the risk of new clots. In most cases, treatment can be managed outpatient.
Early detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis gives your doctor more treatment options and better outcomes. The sooner you get screening, the sooner you can get treatment.
