Deep Vein Thrombosis
(Blood Clot in the Leg, DVT)
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Overview
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Causes
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Deep Vein Thrombosis - Symptoms Experienced
Deep Vein Thrombosis Overview
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot embedded in one of the major deep veins of the lower legs, thighs, or pelvis. A clot blocks blood circulation through these veins, which carries blood from the lower body back to the heart. The blockage can cause pain, swelling, or warmth in the affected leg. Blood clots in the veins can cause inflammation (irritation) called thrombophlebitis. Severe complications of deep vein thrombosis occur when a clot breaks loose (or embolizes) and travels through the bloodstream, causing blockage of blood vessels (pulmonary arteries) in the lung. Called pulmonary embolism, this can lead to severe difficulty in breathing and even death, depending on the degree of blockage.
In the United States, about 2 million people per year develop deep vein thrombosis. Most of them are aged 40 years or older. Up to 600,000 are hospitalized each year for the condition. Deep vein thrombosis can lead to a more serious complication, blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Statistics reveal that at least 650,000 persons die each year from pulmonary embolism, making it the third most common cause of death in the United States.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Causes
Three factors may lead to formation of a clot inside a blood vessel.
- Damage to the inside of a blood vessel due to trauma or other conditions
- Changes in normal blood flow, including unusual turbulence, or partial or complete blockage of blood flow
- Hypercoagulability, a rare state in which the blood is more likely than usual to clot
Any component that contributes to one or more of these three criteria can cause deep vein thrombosis. The more common risk factors are as follows:
- Prolonged sitting, such as during a long plane or car ride
- Prolonged bed rest or immobility, such as after injury or during illness (such
as stroke)
- Recent surgery, particularly orthopedic, gynecologic, or heart surgery
- Recent trauma to the lower body, such as fractures of the bones of the hip,
thigh, or
lower leg
- Obesity
- Heart attack or
heart failure
- Recent childbirth
- Being at very high altitude, greater than 14,000 feet
- Use of estrogen replacement (hormone therapy, or HT) or
birth control pills
- Cancer
- Rare inherited genetic changes in certain blood clotting factors
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a medical condition in which blood clotting occurs inappropriately, usually caused by overwhelming infection or organ failure
- Certain heart or respiratory conditions
- Advanced age
If an individual has one deep vein thrombosis, they are more likely to have a second deep vein thrombosis.
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood Clot in the Leg, DVT)
Varicose Veins Overview
Veins are blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from the outer parts of the body back to the heart and lungs. When veins become abnormally thick, full of twists and turns, or enlarged, they are called varicose veins. Generally, the veins in the legs and thighs have a tendency to become varicosed.
- The thickened, twisting or dilated parts of the vein are called
varicosities.
- Varicose veins can form anywhere in the body, but they
are most often located in the legs.
- In the United States alone, about 19% of men and
36% of women have varicose veins.
- Varicose veins tend to be inherited and become more prominent as the person ages.
- The superficial veins and their branches are close to the skin. These veins typically become varicosed. Also included in this category are the communi...
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Deep Venous Thrombosis »
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) most commonly involves the deep veins of the leg or arm, often resulting in potentially life-threatening emboli to the lungs or debilitating venous alular dysfunction and chronic leg swelling.
