How can a person tell if they have deep vein thrombosis? What are the signs?

Answers from doctors (8)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Oct 31, 2017

You may develop pain in the limb affected (usually calf) but they can be "silent." The leg may swell or change color. If you notice any of these things including shortness of breath, immediate evaluation in an ER is indicated.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You may develop pain in the limb affected (usually calf) but they can be "silent." The leg may swell or change color. If you notice any of these things including shortness of breath, immediate evaluation in an ER is indicated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Vein Center for Women PC

Published on Oct 31, 2017

Deep venous thrombosis is something that has to be taken seriously and treated aggressively to prevent the thrombus or the clot in the deep vein to travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism-and this is a condition where if left untreated can result anywhere from chronic pulmonary hypertension as a delayed complication to acute cardiac arrest which can be fatal .The way to recognize it mainly in legs is to know the condition, and if you have high risk for DVT in your family history, or yourself due to any coagulation abnormality such as factor 5 leiden, or other risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, varicose veins, history of smoking, and if you are on birth control pills at the same time. All of these increase your risk for DVT. DVT in the leg will cause pain, and the leg will feel heavy and dragging so that you cannot place weight on the leg and walk. You may have associated superficial vein thrombosis which will cause tenderness and some redness over the superficial vein. The calf might be swollen and look bigger than the leg which is normal. If you have associated shortness of breath, it is possible that a piece of the thrombus or the whole thrombus traveled to the pulmonary artery blocking one of the branches. If you feel any of the symptoms and sign is present the best option is to go to the ER and get a venous ultrasound done and also other tests to make sure there is no pulmonary embolism. The ER physician will determine based on the findings to keep you in hospital for anticoagulation.

Answered by Vein Center for Women PC (View Profile)

Deep venous thrombosis is something that has to be taken seriously and treated aggressively to prevent the thrombus or the clot in the deep vein to travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism-and this is a condition where if left untreated can result anywhere from chronic pulmonary hypertension as a delayed complication to acute cardiac arrest which can be fatal .The way to recognize it mainly in legs is to know the condition, and if you have high risk for DVT in your family history, or yourself due to any coagulation abnormality such as factor 5 leiden, or other risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, varicose veins, history of smoking, and if you are on birth control pills at the same time. All of these increase your risk for DVT. DVT in the leg will cause pain, and the leg will feel heavy and dragging so that you cannot place weight on the leg and walk. You may have associated superficial vein thrombosis which will cause tenderness and some redness over the superficial vein. The calf might be swollen and look bigger than the leg which is normal. If you have associated shortness of breath, it is possible that a piece of the thrombus or the whole thrombus traveled to the pulmonary artery blocking one of the branches. If you feel any of the symptoms and sign is present the best option is to go to the ER and get a venous ultrasound done and also other tests to make sure there is no pulmonary embolism. The ER physician will determine based on the findings to keep you in hospital for anticoagulation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Finesse Surgical Solutions

Published on Mar 24, 2014

The classic signs of DVT are swelling and pain in the affected extremity. However, DVTs are often "silent," with minimal symptoms. A high index of suspicion and an ultrasound exam are the best way to diagnose DVT.

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Answered by Finesse Surgical Solutions

The classic signs of DVT are swelling and pain in the affected extremity. However, DVTs are often "silent," with minimal symptoms. A high index of suspicion and an ultrasound exam are the best way to diagnose DVT.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Published on Feb 28, 2014

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be symptomatic or asymptomatic (silent). Symptoms may include leg swelling (exacerbated by standing or dependent leg position), tenderness in the calf, throbbing in the leg, discoloration, etc. Suspicion should be based on history- family and patient- and the evaluating physician should have a low threshhold for obtaining a Doppler exam to rule it out.

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Answered by Michael F. Gioscia, MD, FACS, ABVLM

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be symptomatic or asymptomatic (silent). Symptoms may include leg swelling (exacerbated by standing or dependent leg position), tenderness in the calf, throbbing in the leg, discoloration, etc. Suspicion should be based on history- family and patient- and the evaluating physician should have a low threshhold for obtaining a Doppler exam to rule it out.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Published on Feb 28, 2014

Pain, swelling, tenderness and redness are symptoms of a DVT. If these symptoms are present, you need to be examined and have an ultrasound.

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Answered by Veins etc. at Comprehensive Cardiovascular Consultants

Pain, swelling, tenderness and redness are symptoms of a DVT. If these symptoms are present, you need to be examined and have an ultrasound.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Feb 27, 2014

DVT usually causes obvious and dramatic ankle/lower leg swelling,
accompanied by leg pain at the site of the clot. However, in severe cases there may be no symptoms aside from a person collapsing. If you are in the least bit worried you might have DVT, you should immediately see a physician on an urgent basis.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

DVT usually causes obvious and dramatic ankle/lower leg swelling,
accompanied by leg pain at the site of the clot. However, in severe cases there may be no symptoms aside from a person collapsing. If you are in the least bit worried you might have DVT, you should immediately see a physician on an urgent basis.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Feb 27, 2014

Normally, a person would have severe pain, usually in the calf or behind the knee, but not always. Swelling that does not go away can be a sign as well. But the best way to diagnose a DVT is to have an ultrasound.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Normally, a person would have severe pain, usually in the calf or behind the knee, but not always. Swelling that does not go away can be a sign as well. But the best way to diagnose a DVT is to have an ultrasound.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Feb 27, 2014

The most common symptom of DVT is pain, usually in the calf or thigh, depending on the location of the clot. Another common symptom is swelling of the affected limb. However, there are other conditions that can cause these same signs and symptoms. A d-dimer blood test and a venous ultrasound are excellent tests to help to evaluate for a DVT. The best thing that you can due if worried about DVT would be to see a vein specialist for a full evaluation.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

The most common symptom of DVT is pain, usually in the calf or thigh, depending on the location of the clot. Another common symptom is swelling of the affected limb. However, there are other conditions that can cause these same signs and symptoms. A d-dimer blood test and a venous ultrasound are excellent tests to help to evaluate for a DVT. The best thing that you can due if worried about DVT would be to see a vein specialist for a full evaluation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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