Deep vein thrombosis (DVT):
Symptoms, causes & treatment
Symptoms, causes & treatment
What is DVT?
DVT is a serious blood clot condition that forms in deep veins throughout the body. Blood clots develop when blood flow changes, blood becomes more coagulated or blood vessel walls sustain damage during surgery or injury. Most DVT blood clots occur in lower leg veins or thigh veins, but deep vein thrombosis can also affect arms, neck, brain or abdominal veins.
A deep vein thrombosis blood clot can break free and travel through the bloodstream. This loose blood clot becomes an embolus that can reach lung arteries and block pulmonary blood flow, creating dangerous pressure on the heart. This life-threatening condition is called pulmonary embolism (PE) and requires immediate medical attention.
Remember this important blood clot equation: DVT + PE = VTE (venous thromboembolism).
Recognizing deep vein thrombosis symptoms and pulmonary embolism (PE) warning signs can save lives through early blood clot treatment and prevention.
Signs and symptoms
DVT symptoms can include leg pain, redness and swelling in the affected area. Many patients describe DVT pain as feeling like a pulled muscle that doesn’t improve with rest or time.
Common DVT Warning Signs:
- Unexplained leg or arm pain, especially in the calf muscle
- Swelling in one leg or arm
- Skin that feels warm to the touch
- Red or discolored skin
- Leg cramps that worsen over time
Immediate Medical Attention Required
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any potential DVT symptoms, even without known risk factors. Early detection and treatment of blood clots can prevent serious complications including pulmonary embolism.
Don’t wait to seek medical evaluation for suspected deep vein thrombosis. Prompt diagnosis through ultrasound or other imaging can confirm the presence of blood clots and allow for immediate treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
Click below to learn more about the signs and symptoms of DVT.
Risk factors
Various factors can increase your likelihood of developing DVT, a serious condition where blood clots form in deep veins. Having multiple DVT risk factors significantly elevates your chances of developing this potentially dangerous condition. Risk factors can include family and personal history, surgery, cancer, being in the hospital and pregnancy.
Recognizing your personal risk profile helps you know when to seek medical attention and take preventive measures. Comprehensive risk assessment is crucial for effective blood clot prevention and maintaining your health and safety.
Click the button below to learn more about DVT risk factors.
Treatment
DVT treatment is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Blood clot treatment can differ by patient, but typically includes anticoagulant medication which stops the clot from growing and allows it to heal naturally.
Most patients require blood thinning therapy for at least three months, though some may need longer anticoagulant treatment depending on their risk factors and underlying medical conditions.
In severe cases, doctors may recommend additional interventions such as catheter-directed thrombolysis for clot removal or inferior vena cava filter placement to prevent blood clots from traveling to the lungs.
Click the button below to learn more about blood clot treatment options.
Research on Deep Vein Thrombosis from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH)
- “Basics of diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism“ – Cox C, Roberts LN. J Thromb Haemost. 2025;23(4):1185-1202. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2025.01.009
- “Very long–term risk of moderate-to-severe postthrombotic syndrome after deep vein thrombosis“ – J Thromb Haemost. 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2024.07.020
- “Old and new risk factors for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis – a rebuttal“ – J Thromb Haemost. 2022.
- “Development and internal validation of a simple clinical score for the estimation of the probability of deep vein thrombosis in outpatient emergency department patients“ – Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2024.
- “Impact of deep vein thrombosis on adolescent athletes: Navigating an invisible disability“ – Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2022.
- “External validation of the DAYS score for suspected deep vein thrombosis“ – Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2025.102885
WTD resources on DVT
Head to Toe Poster
Head to Toe Poster
DVT + PE = VTE Social Media
Additional resources in multiple languages are available in the WTD resource section.
