Deep Vein Thrombosis and Blood Clot Symptoms

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in one of the large, deep veins of the body. The blood clot, or thrombus, can cause circulation problems, pain and other symptoms. A deep vein thrombosis can also cause a number of health complications, some of which can be life threatening.

Veins in the legs are most susceptible to blood clot formation, but deep vein thrombosis can occur in any large vein, including blood vessels in the pelvis and arms. The location and size of the blood clot often determines the severity of symptoms.

Localized pain and swelling are the most common blood clot symptoms. The area around the blood clot may be red, swollen, or possibly bluish in color. Further, vein inflammation, or thrombophlebitis, often occurs with DVT. Depending on the size and location of the blood clot, veins may feel hard to the touch.

Less common symptoms of a blood clot include:

Shortness of breath and chest pain are serious symptoms that may indicate a clot in the lungs, also called a pulmonary embolism. However, even mild blood clot symptoms should be reported to a health professional immediately. While many blood clots dissolve naturally within a week or two of formation, waiting for DVT symptoms to resolve on their own can be fatal.

Unfortunately, symptoms of a blood clot are not present in as many as fifty percent of deep vein thrombosis cases and clinical imaging or other tools are required to make a diagnosis. When deep vein thrombosis symptoms do develop, they tend to appear within an hour or two of blood clot formation.

Possible risk factors for DVT include:

The risk of deep vein thrombosis increases when multiple risk factors are present. For instance, a woman undergoing hormone replacement therapy is more likely to develop a blood clot if she is also recovering from knee surgery.

Genetic coagulation disorders increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Genetic defects can affect a number of coagulation proteins and chemicals, including antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, factor V Leiden, and prothrombin, all of which are critical components of the coagulation process. Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, can also increase the chance of DVT formation. More information on the role genetics play in DVT is available on the Coagulation Factors site.

 

 

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2001). Deep vein thrombosis. Retrieved January 16, 2004, from
orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=264&topcategory =Hip&all=all.

 

Beers, M. H. & Berkow, R. (ed). Venous thrombosis [electronic version]. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, 1999.
www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section16/chapter212
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (nd). What is deep vein thrombosis? Retrieved January 16, 2004, from
dci.nhlbi.nih.gov/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html.