As the clot gets worse, you may feel a sensation ranging from a dull ache to intense pain. The pain may throb in your leg, belly, or even arm. Swelling in the spot where the blood clot has formed or throughout your entire arm or leg.
Both DVT and pulmonary embolism need urgent investigation and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you have pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg and develop breathlessness and chest pain.
Yes—The cramping sensations and pain that occur with DVT will persist and even worsen with time. Stretching or “walking it off” like an ordinary charley horse will not ease DVT pain or clear it up.
The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin. Trouble breathing. If this happens, it could mean that the clot has moved from your arm or leg to your lungs. You may also get a bad cough, and might even cough up blood.
As many as half of those who get a DVT in their legs develop symptoms of intermittent leg pain and swelling that may last months to years. These symptoms are called post-thrombotic syndrome and can happen because of damage to the valves and inner lining of your veins leading to blood “pooling” more than it should.
You may need to be admitted and stay in the hospital if: You also have a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung and blocks blood flow to part of the lung. You have significant heart or lung disease. You have iliofemoral DVT.
DON'T stand or sit in one spot for a long time. DON'T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON'T smoke. DON'T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you're at risk of bleeding from trauma.
Living with DVT
It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.
DVT sometimes doesn't cause any symptoms. However, symptoms can include: pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf) a heavy ache in the affected area.
Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.
The most serious complication of DVT happens when a part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a blockage called pulmonary embolism (PE). If the clot is small, and with appropriate treatment, people can recover from PE. However, there could be some damage to the lungs.
Pulmonary embolism (PE).
PE is a potentially life-threatening complication associated with DVT . It occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) in a leg or other body area breaks free and gets stuck in a blood vessel in a lung. Get immediate medical help if you have symptoms of PE .
How Painful Is DVT? DVT can range from mild to severe pain, depending on the individual and the extent of the clot. Others may experience severe pain and swelling, while others may only feel a dull ache. It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect DVT to prevent potential complications.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lungs, which can be serious and potentially lead to death. When left untreated, the mortality rate is up to 30% but when treated early, the mortality rate is 8%.
PE is a blood clot that originates in a large vein, typically in the leg, that then travels (also known as embolizes) into the lungs. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They include, but are not limited to, significant shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, shock or cardiac arrest.
For years, if you had a DVT, your doctor would order bed rest. This was thought to lower the risk of a clot traveling through your bloodstream to your lungs. But recent research suggests that bed rest doesn't help people with DVT and that it may be fine for you to get up and move around.
lie on their sides with a pillow between the knees if desirable.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration contributes to the development of sluggish blood flow and blood clots. NYU Langone doctors advise drinking 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water each day for optimal blood flow. It's especially important to do this when your mobility is limited for long periods, such as while traveling.
For most people, walking or taking care of some housework are fine right after you find out you have DVT. It's also OK right after a pulmonary embolism. Your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner -- they may call it an anticoagulant -- and compression stockings.
The answer is: Yes. You often can feel the effects of a blood clot in the leg.
Chest pain
“It may feel like a shooting pain that starts in your front and travels to the back in the chest area,” says Dr. Tran. “You may also feel chest heaviness or pressure that lasts. If it's just fleeting, goes away and doesn't happen again, you're probably not dealing with a blood clot.”
Blood clot that is extensive (> 5cm in length, involves multiple veins, > 7mm in diameter) or close to the proximal veins. Unprovoked DVT. Active cancer. History of previous DVT.