Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that partially or completely blocks a large vein (usually in the lower leg or thigh, like the popliteal vein) though it can occur in other parts of the body.
DVT prevents deoxygenated blood from returning to the heart. As a result, circulation is blocked in the leg, which leads to pain and swelling.
If that blood clot breaks off, it becomes an embolus and can travel through the heart and lungs, blocking passage for blood flow there. A blood clot that travels to your lungs is calledpulmonary embolism(PE). PE can deprive the tissues of blood and damage tissues. DVT is very serious and can be fatal.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, blood clots in the thighs are more likely to break off and cause PE than blood clots in the lower leg.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 900,000 Americans suffer from deep vein thrombosis or PE each year and that 60,000 to 100,000 people die as a result.
It’s important to note that DVT is different from a blood clot, which forms in the veins just beneath the skin, known assuperficial thrombophlebitis. Superficial thrombophlebitisdoesn’t usually travel to the lungs and can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, bed rest, and warm compresses. DVTs are also different from blood clots that occur in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
2:22Common Causes & Risk Factors for Blood Clots
2:22
Common Causes & Risk Factors for Blood Clots
Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms
Common symptoms of DVT are pain and tenderness in the affected area, and redness or discoloration of the skin.If the DVT breaks off and becomes a PE, you may experience sudden chest pain or chest discomfort that worsens when you take deep breaths, rapid heartbeat, and/or difficulty breathing. Vomiting, coughing up blood, and fainting are also signs of a PE.
DVT and PE are serious, so if you have any of these signs or symptoms, seek help immediately.
Blood Clots in Lungs: Before and After Pulmonary Embolism
Adults over age 60 are at the greatest risk for DVT. One of the biggest causes is being immobile andsitting for extended periodsof time.Whether you’re recovering from surgery or sitting on a long flight, being inactive slows the blood flow and can prevent the platelets and plasma in your blood from mixing and circulating properly.
Other causes of DVT include:
Varicose Vein Pain: What It Feels Like and How to Find Relief
What Is May-Thurner Syndrome?
If you have a DVT, it’s important to get diagnosed right away before it becomes a pulmonary embolism.Once a PE blocks an artery in your lung, all blood flow is reduced or stopped completely, which can cause sudden death.
Your healthcare provider will most likely perform a compression ultrasound, but other tests, like a venogram, CT scan, or D-dimer test, can also be used to diagnose DVT.Through a compression ultrasound, your practitioner is able to see theblood clotand the obstruction of blood flow in the vein.
Verywell
How Deep Vein Thrombosis Is Diagnosed
If your healthcare provider confirms a DVT diagnosis, the first line of treatment is usually anticoagulants (blood thinners).Anticoagulantsdo not break up existing clots, but work to prevent further blood clotting in the veins and reduce your chances of developing a PE. There are injectable and pill forms of anticoagulants.
If you do develop a PE and have a large clot, you may be prescribed thrombolytic therapy(clot-busting medication). These medications are given through IV or a catheter injected directly into the clot. Clot busting medications are typically reserved for emergency cases due to the risk for severe bleeding.
How to Dissolve Blood Clots in Legs
Guidelines for DVT and PETreatment guidelines have been updated to conditionally recommend that certain people with DVT or PE with a low risk of complications can be treated at home instead of the hospital.
Guidelines for DVT and PE
Treatment guidelines have been updated to conditionally recommend that certain people with DVT or PE with a low risk of complications can be treated at home instead of the hospital.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Sign Up
Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Once short-term treatment is done, your healthcare provider may put you on another anticoagulant. Anticoagulation therapy usually continues for three months, but in some cases, it can be indefinite, especially if you’ve had a PE. Your practitioner will evaluate your case against the risks and benefits as part of their clinical decision-making.
In 2020, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) released updated treatment guidelines for DVT andpulmonary embolism. Updates to these evidence-based treatment recommendations to be aware of include:
What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?
It’s important for people at risk of DVT, or those who have had one, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking, achieving a healthy weight, and following a regular exercise routine are all helpful prevention strategies.
You should avoid sitting for long periods of time and stretch and move throughout the day. Compression socksare especially helpful on long flights because they aid in circulation and help the leg veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart.
If you’re taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy, you can talk to your healthcare provider about changing your treatment plan to prevent future clots.People who have hypertension, heart disease, or heart failure are also at a high risk of DVT, so be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about creating a treatment plan that lowers your risk and prevents clots.
Summary
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition that should be treated immediately. It usually takes three to six months for the clot to completely resolve, but through medical treatment, you can prevent the clot from increasing in size and breaking away.
If you experience symptoms of pulmonary embolism, get help right away. While the symptoms of DVT can be alarming, knowing them can help save your life or someone you know.
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.Lee JS, Moon T, Kim TH, et al.Deep vein thrombosis in patients with pulmonary embolism: Prevalance, clinical significance and outcome.Vasc Specialist Int. 2016;32(4):166–174. doi:10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.166Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venous thromboembolism.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis. J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-83. doi: 10.1111/jth.12986Kesieme E, Kesieme C, Jebbin N, Irekpita E, Dongo A.Deep vein thrombosis: a clinical review.J Blood Med. 2011;2:59–69. doi:10.2147/JBM.S19009Suadicani P, Hannerz H, Bach E, Gyntelberg F.Jobs encompassing prolonged sitting in cramped positions and risk of venous thromboembolism: cohort study.JRSM Short Rep. 2012;3(2):8. doi:10.1258/shorts.2011.011121Devis P, Knuttinen MG.Deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: Incidence, pathogenesis and endovascular management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther.2017;7:S309-S319. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2017.10.08Sitruk-Ware R.Hormonal contraception and thrombosis.Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1289-1294. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.039Kapoor CS, Mehta AK, Patel K, Golwala PP.Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower limb trauma.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2016;7(Suppl 2):220–224. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2016.07.003Crous-Bou M, Harrington LB, Kabrhel C.Environmental and genetic risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism.Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016;42(8):808-820. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592333Blokhin IO, Lentz SR.Mechanisms of thrombosis in obesity.Curr Opin Hematol. 2013;20(5):437-44. doi:10.1097/MOH.0b013e3283634443Cheng YJ, Liu ZH, Yao FJ, et al.Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS Med. 2013;10(9):e1001515. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001515Stone J, Hangge P, Albadawi H, et al.Deep vein thrombosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2017;7(Suppl 3):S276–S284. doi:10.21037/cdt.2017.09.01Baker M, dela Cruz J.Deep venous thrombosis ultrasound evaluation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Ortel TL, Neumann I, Ageno W, et al.American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Blood Adv. 2020 Oct 13;4(19):4693-4738. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001830.Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S, Juszczak E, Eisinga A.Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;9:CD004002. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004002.pub3Piparva KG, Buch JG.Deep vein thrombosis in a woman taking oral combined contraceptive pills.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2011;2(3):185–186. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.83284Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics of venous thromboembolism.The American Society of Hematology.Blood clots.The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.Lee JS, Moon T, Kim TH, et al.Deep vein thrombosis in patients with pulmonary embolism: Prevalance, clinical significance and outcome.Vasc Specialist Int. 2016;32(4):166–174. doi:10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.166Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venous thromboembolism.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis. J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-83. doi: 10.1111/jth.12986Kesieme E, Kesieme C, Jebbin N, Irekpita E, Dongo A.Deep vein thrombosis: a clinical review.J Blood Med. 2011;2:59–69. doi:10.2147/JBM.S19009Suadicani P, Hannerz H, Bach E, Gyntelberg F.Jobs encompassing prolonged sitting in cramped positions and risk of venous thromboembolism: cohort study.JRSM Short Rep. 2012;3(2):8. doi:10.1258/shorts.2011.011121Devis P, Knuttinen MG.Deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: Incidence, pathogenesis and endovascular management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther.2017;7:S309-S319. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2017.10.08Sitruk-Ware R.Hormonal contraception and thrombosis.Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1289-1294. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.039Kapoor CS, Mehta AK, Patel K, Golwala PP.Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower limb trauma.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2016;7(Suppl 2):220–224. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2016.07.003Crous-Bou M, Harrington LB, Kabrhel C.Environmental and genetic risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism.Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016;42(8):808-820. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592333Blokhin IO, Lentz SR.Mechanisms of thrombosis in obesity.Curr Opin Hematol. 2013;20(5):437-44. doi:10.1097/MOH.0b013e3283634443Cheng YJ, Liu ZH, Yao FJ, et al.Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS Med. 2013;10(9):e1001515. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001515Stone J, Hangge P, Albadawi H, et al.Deep vein thrombosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2017;7(Suppl 3):S276–S284. doi:10.21037/cdt.2017.09.01Baker M, dela Cruz J.Deep venous thrombosis ultrasound evaluation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Ortel TL, Neumann I, Ageno W, et al.American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Blood Adv. 2020 Oct 13;4(19):4693-4738. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001830.Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S, Juszczak E, Eisinga A.Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;9:CD004002. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004002.pub3Piparva KG, Buch JG.Deep vein thrombosis in a woman taking oral combined contraceptive pills.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2011;2(3):185–186. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.83284Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics of venous thromboembolism.The American Society of Hematology.Blood clots.The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.Lee JS, Moon T, Kim TH, et al.Deep vein thrombosis in patients with pulmonary embolism: Prevalance, clinical significance and outcome.Vasc Specialist Int. 2016;32(4):166–174. doi:10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.166Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venous thromboembolism.Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis. J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-83. doi: 10.1111/jth.12986Kesieme E, Kesieme C, Jebbin N, Irekpita E, Dongo A.Deep vein thrombosis: a clinical review.J Blood Med. 2011;2:59–69. doi:10.2147/JBM.S19009Suadicani P, Hannerz H, Bach E, Gyntelberg F.Jobs encompassing prolonged sitting in cramped positions and risk of venous thromboembolism: cohort study.JRSM Short Rep. 2012;3(2):8. doi:10.1258/shorts.2011.011121Devis P, Knuttinen MG.Deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: Incidence, pathogenesis and endovascular management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther.2017;7:S309-S319. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2017.10.08Sitruk-Ware R.Hormonal contraception and thrombosis.Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1289-1294. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.039Kapoor CS, Mehta AK, Patel K, Golwala PP.Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower limb trauma.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2016;7(Suppl 2):220–224. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2016.07.003Crous-Bou M, Harrington LB, Kabrhel C.Environmental and genetic risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism.Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016;42(8):808-820. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592333Blokhin IO, Lentz SR.Mechanisms of thrombosis in obesity.Curr Opin Hematol. 2013;20(5):437-44. doi:10.1097/MOH.0b013e3283634443Cheng YJ, Liu ZH, Yao FJ, et al.Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS Med. 2013;10(9):e1001515. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001515Stone J, Hangge P, Albadawi H, et al.Deep vein thrombosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2017;7(Suppl 3):S276–S284. doi:10.21037/cdt.2017.09.01Baker M, dela Cruz J.Deep venous thrombosis ultrasound evaluation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Ortel TL, Neumann I, Ageno W, et al.American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Blood Adv. 2020 Oct 13;4(19):4693-4738. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001830.Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S, Juszczak E, Eisinga A.Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;9:CD004002. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004002.pub3Piparva KG, Buch JG.Deep vein thrombosis in a woman taking oral combined contraceptive pills.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2011;2(3):185–186. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.83284
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.
Lee JS, Moon T, Kim TH, et al.Deep vein thrombosis in patients with pulmonary embolism: Prevalance, clinical significance and outcome.Vasc Specialist Int. 2016;32(4):166–174. doi:10.5758/vsi.2016.32.4.166
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Venous thromboembolism.
Cosmi B.Management of superficial vein thrombosis. J Thromb Haemost. 2015;13(7):1175-83. doi: 10.1111/jth.12986
Kesieme E, Kesieme C, Jebbin N, Irekpita E, Dongo A.Deep vein thrombosis: a clinical review.J Blood Med. 2011;2:59–69. doi:10.2147/JBM.S19009
Suadicani P, Hannerz H, Bach E, Gyntelberg F.Jobs encompassing prolonged sitting in cramped positions and risk of venous thromboembolism: cohort study.JRSM Short Rep. 2012;3(2):8. doi:10.1258/shorts.2011.011121
Devis P, Knuttinen MG.Deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy: Incidence, pathogenesis and endovascular management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther.2017;7:S309-S319. doi: 10.21037/cdt.2017.10.08
Sitruk-Ware R.Hormonal contraception and thrombosis.Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1289-1294. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.08.039
Kapoor CS, Mehta AK, Patel K, Golwala PP.Prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with lower limb trauma.J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2016;7(Suppl 2):220–224. doi:10.1016/j.jcot.2016.07.003
Crous-Bou M, Harrington LB, Kabrhel C.Environmental and genetic risk factors associated with venous thromboembolism.Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016;42(8):808-820. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592333
Blokhin IO, Lentz SR.Mechanisms of thrombosis in obesity.Curr Opin Hematol. 2013;20(5):437-44. doi:10.1097/MOH.0b013e3283634443
Cheng YJ, Liu ZH, Yao FJ, et al.Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS Med. 2013;10(9):e1001515. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001515
Stone J, Hangge P, Albadawi H, et al.Deep vein thrombosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management.Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2017;7(Suppl 3):S276–S284. doi:10.21037/cdt.2017.09.01
Baker M, dela Cruz J.Deep venous thrombosis ultrasound evaluation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Ortel TL, Neumann I, Ageno W, et al.American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.Blood Adv. 2020 Oct 13;4(19):4693-4738. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001830.
Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S, Juszczak E, Eisinga A.Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;9:CD004002. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004002.pub3
Piparva KG, Buch JG.Deep vein thrombosis in a woman taking oral combined contraceptive pills.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2011;2(3):185–186. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.83284
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics of venous thromboembolism.The American Society of Hematology.Blood clots.The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Deep vein thrombosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basics of venous thromboembolism.
The American Society of Hematology.Blood clots.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
