John Muir Health logo
  • Patients
    About MyChart
    Locating Patients
    Medicare
    New Patients
    Payment & Insurance
    Physician Open Payments Notice
    Preparing for Surgery
    Pre-Register for a Visit
    Registration & Forms
    Request a Health Record
    Security Center
    Video Visits
    Why Choose Us
  • Services
    Addiction Medicine
    Behavioral Health
    Cancer
    Cardiovascular Services
    Digestive Health
    Emergency Services
    Lab Services
    Medical Imaging
    Neurosciences
    Orthopedics
    Pediatrics
    Physical Rehabilitation
    Pregnancy & New Parent
    Primary Care
    Urgent Care
    ALL SERVICES
  • Education
    Classes, Screenings & Support Groups
    Clinical Trials
    Conditions & Treatments
    Health & Wellness
  • For Providers
    Careers
    Clinical Research
    Family Medicine Residency Program
    John Muir Medical Group
    Medical Staff
    Nursing
    Pharmacy Residency Program
    Resources
    Training & Education
  • Giving
    Give Now
    The Foundation
    Donor Impact
    Gift Opportunities
    Ways to Give
    Contact Us
  • About
    Annual Reports
    Awards & Recognition
    Board of Directors
    Community Commitment
    Employers, Brokers, & Health Plans
    Executive Team
    Make a Gift
    Mission & Vision
    Partnerships
    Media Center
MyChart Login
  • Find a location
  • Find a doctor
  • Pay a bill
  • Find a job
✕

Latest information on COVID-19 >

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  1. Home
  2. Health Education
  3. Conditions & Treatments
  4. Lungs, Heart & Blood
  5. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Lungs, Heart & Blood
  • Aortic Stenosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Lung Disease
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Eating to Reduce High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Valve 101

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein, frequently in the leg. It can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), a sudden blockage in a lung artery due to a clot that breaks free and travels from the leg. PE is a potentially fatal condition, so rapid treatment is vital. 

DVT strikes 400,000 Americans yearly, including postsurgical patients and long-distance travelers. Another 200,000 develop PE and nearly one-third of them die.

DVT

When a blood clot or thrombus forms in the large veins of the body, usually in the thigh or calf, it can serve as a “roadblock,” disrupting the flow of the blood returning to the heart. This can cause swelling, pain, and serious complications.  

Risks

Anyone can be affected, but certain factors increase your risk:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Family history of DVT
  • Increased estrogen levels from birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, or having given birth in the past six weeks
  • Obesity
  • Sitting for long periods of time
  • Injury to the vein from major surgery, fractures, or severe muscle injury

Talk to your doctor about how to reduce your risks.

DVT symptoms

  • Visible swelling of the leg, along a vein, or behind the knee
  • Pain or tenderness in the leg, or fluid collecting in the foot
  • Increased warmth in the affected area 
  • Red or discolored skin 

PE symptoms

  • Unexplained shortness of breath
  • Pain during deep breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Rapid breathing or heart rate
  • Symptoms can be “silent” and can mimic heart attack, pneumonia, or even anxiety. 

Prevention

“Awareness of DVT and PE is the best way to prevent these conditions,” says John Muir Health hematologist Michael Sherman, M.D. Prevention strategies include:

  • Avoiding inactivity, obesity, and smoking
  • Getting out of bed and moving around after surgery or illness
  • Exercising your lower leg muscles during long trips
  • Taking all medicines your doctor prescribes to prevent or treat blood clots
  • Using compression stockings to prevent swelling

Your doctor can help develop a prevention strategy with you.

Diagnosis

Many people who experience DVT think that they simply have a cramp, and delay seeking treatment. This is most devastating if the clot goes to the lungs, and causes more serious issues. 

According to Dr.  Sherman, “There are two reasons to move quickly if you suspect you are having a DVT: to get an accurate diagnosis, and to get immediate treatment with a specific blood thinner.” 

He recommends going directly to the ER where diagnostic tests such as ultrasound and venography can be done very quickly. Ultrasound uses sound waves to show blood flowing, and venography uses dye and an x-ray.

If you have symptoms during travel, alert a flight attendant. “You will need to go to an ER for medical attention, to prevent further issues,” says vascular specialist Soo Kim, M.D.

Treatment

Medical treatment options include injectable anticoagulants or blood thinners in pill form, such as Warfarin, to decrease the blood’s ability to clot and to stop existing clots from getting bigger. Therapy usually lasts three to six months while your body dissolves the clot over time.

 In a newer option, vascular specialists can now remove clots in a minimally invasive way for some patients. Using ultrasound, a vascular surgeon pinpoints the clot’s location, and removes it via a catheter.  

According to Dr. Kim, “Very quickly, blood flow is restored, pain is gone, and swelling subsides. This can eliminate long-term effects, as well.  Outcomes have been excellent.”

Traveling

If you are planning a trip that lasts longer than four hours, here are ways to reduce your DVT risk:

  • Walk up and down the aisles of the bus, train, or airplane every hour, or if traveling by car stop and walk around
  • Wear loose clothing and compression stockings to aid blood flow
  • Stay well hydrated and avoid alcohol

If you’re at higher risk, your doctor may prescribe medication before you travel.

Related Links
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Lung Health)
  • Chest Pain Centers
Hi! I'm here to help answer your questions.
Chat
ABOUT
About Us
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Awards & Recognition
Partnerships
Community Commitment
Employers, Brokers & Health Plans

GET INVOLVED

Careers
Volunteer
NEWS & PRESS
Media Center
Annual Reports

GIVING

Make a Gift
Donor Bill of Rights
Foundation's Privacy Policy
CONTACT
Email Us
PRIVACY
Patient Privacy
Website Privacy
Terms of Use
Security Center
Follow Us

© John Muir Health All rights reserved.

John Muir Health is accredited by The Joint Commission. 

We use cookies to measure website traffic and personalize content for a better browsing experience. By using this website, you consent to our cookies. For more details, see our Website Privacy Policy.