How do you get dvts

They trap large fragments of a blood clot and stop it travelling to the heart and lungs. They can be used to help prevent blood clots developing in the legs of people diagnosed with:. IVCs can be placed in the vein permanently, or newer types of filters can be placed temporarily and removed after the risk of a blood clot has decreased.

The procedure to insert an IVC filter is carried out using a local anaesthetic where you're awake but the area is numb. A small cut is made in the skin and a catheter thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein in the neck or groin area.

The catheter is guided using an ultrasound scan. The IVC filter is then inserted through the catheter and into the vein. The two main complications of deep vein thrombosis DVT are pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome.

A pulmonary embolism is the most serious complication of DVT. It happens when a piece of blood clot DVT breaks off and travels through your bloodstream to your lungs, where it blocks one of the blood vessels. In severe cases this can be fatal. If the clot is small, it might not cause any symptoms. If it's medium-sized, it can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties.

A large clot can cause the lungs to collapse, resulting in heart failure , which can be fatal. If you've had a DVT, you may develop long-term symptoms in your calf known as post-thrombotic syndrome. If you have DVT, the blood clot in the vein of your calf can divert the flow of blood to other veins, causing an increase in pressure. This can affect the tissues of your calf and lead to symptoms, including:.

When a DVT develops in your thigh vein, there's an increased risk of post-thrombotic syndrome occurring. It's also more likely to occur if you're overweight or if you've had more than one DVT in the same leg. If you're admitted to hospital or planning to go into hospital for surgery, your risk of developing a blood clot while you're there will be assessed.

Surgery and some medical treatments can increase your risk of developing DVT — see causes of DVT for more information. If you're thought to be at risk of developing DVT, your healthcare team can take a number of measures to prevent a blood clot forming. If you're going into hospital to have an operation, and you're taking the combined contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy HRT , you'll be advised to temporarily stop taking your medication four weeks before your operation.

Similarly, if you're taking medication to prevent blood clots , such as aspirin , you may be advised to stop taking it one week before your operation. There's less risk of getting DVT when having a local anaesthetic compared with a general anaesthetic. Your doctor will discuss whether it's possible for you to have a local anaesthetic. There are a number of things your healthcare team can do to help reduce your risk of getting DVT while you're in hospital. For example, they'll make sure you have enough to drink so you don't become dehydrated , and they'll also encourage you to move around as soon as you're able to.

Depending on your risk factors and individual circumstances, a number of different medications can be used to help prevent DVT. For example:. Compression stockings or compression devices are also commonly used to help keep the blood in your legs circulating.

Compression stockings are worn around your feet, lower legs and thighs, and fit tightly to encourage your blood to flow more quickly around your body. Compression devices are inflatable and work in the same way as compression stockings, inflating at regular intervals to squeeze your legs and encourage blood flow.

Your healthcare team will usually advise you to walk regularly after you've been prescribed compression stockings. Keeping mobile can help prevent the symptoms of DVT returning and may help prevent or improve complications of DVT , such as post-thrombotic syndrome.

You may need to continue to take anticoagulant medicine and wear compression stockings when you leave hospital.

Before you leave, your healthcare team should advise you about how to use your treatment, how long to continue using it for, and who to contact if you experience any problems. If you're planning a long-distance plane, train or car journey journeys of six hours or more , make sure you:.

Read more about preventing DVT when you travel. If you're travelling abroad, it's very important to ensure you're prepared should you or a family member fall ill. Make sure you have full travel insurance to cover the cost of any healthcare you may need while abroad.

This is particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease , which may increase your risk of developing DVT. DVT can be a very serious condition, and it's important you receive medical assistance as soon as possible. Treating DVT promptly will help minimise the risk of complications. Home Illnesses and conditions Blood and lymph Deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1.

About deep vein thrombosis 2. Deep vein thrombosis causes 3. Deep vein thrombosis treatment 4. Complications of deep vein thrombosis 5. Deep vein thrombosis prevention. About deep vein thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis DVT is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg.

If symptoms do occur they can include: pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs usually your calf or thigh a heavy ache in the affected area warm skin in the area of the clot red skin, particularly at the back of your leg below the knee DVT usually although not always affects one leg.

A pulmonary embolism is a very serious condition which causes: breathlessness — which may come on gradually or suddenly chest pain — which may become worse when you breathe in sudden collapse Both DVT and pulmonary embolism need urgent investigation and treatment.

As well as age, there are also some other risk factors, including: having a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism having a family history of blood clots being inactive for long periods — such as after an operation or during a long journey blood vessel damage — a damaged blood vessel wall can result in the formation of a blood clot having certain conditions or treatments that cause your blood to clot more easily than normal — such as cancer including chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment , heart and lung disease, thrombophilia and Hughes syndrome being pregnant — your blood also clots more easily during pregnancy being overweight or obese The combined contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy HRT both contain the female hormone oestrogen, which causes the blood to clot more easily.

D-dimer test It can be difficult to diagnose DVT from symptoms alone. Ultrasound scan An ultrasound scan can be used to detect clots in your veins. Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, diet, family history, or many other things. Although these risk factors increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others develop disease and have no known risk factors. Knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.

Risk factors related to or that may contribute to deep vein thrombosis and thrombophlebitis include, but are not limited to, the following:. Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants.

It occurs when a blood vessel in your lung becomes blocked by a blood clot thrombus that travels to your lung from another part of your body, usually your leg.

It's important to get immediate medical help if you have signs and symptoms of PE. Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain while inhaling or coughing, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, feeling faint or fainting, and coughing up blood may occur with a PE. If you're on a plane, stand or walk occasionally. If you can't do that, exercise your lower legs. Try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes with your heels on the floor.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Blood clot in leg vein Open pop-up dialog box Close. Blood clot in leg vein A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area.

Pulmonary embolism Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Plus, a healthier lifestyle incorporates many of the changes that are necessary to prevent blood clots in the first place. This includes moving more, quitting smoking, and maintaining a moderate weight.

You can lower your risk of DVT and blood clots with a balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains deliver essential vitamins and minerals. Some vitamins and minerals can interfere with DVT medications. Review any vitamins or supplements you take with your doctor, and ask about possible interactions with medications.

DVT is a serious condition that could be life threatening. Diagnosis can often be difficult, as many people with DVT do not experience symptoms. They may prescribe medication or other therapies to help you treat DVT, but there are many things you can do on your own. Moving regularly, wearing compression stockings, and adopting a balanced diet are key ways to manage DVT risk.

Blood clots often occur without symptoms. This can make it difficult to tell if you have one. Learn more about the early warning signs. Femoral vein thrombosis refers to a blood clot that occurs in the femoral vein in your leg.

Learn more about the symptoms and how you can prevent a…. Popliteal vein thrombosis is a form of deep vein thrombosis DVT that affects your popliteal vein. It can be life-threatening. Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory condition of the veins. Learn more. Did you know your diet can affect how well your warfarin works?

Learn tips for preventing this dangerous…. Wondering what DVT medications are available? A deep vein thrombosis DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside your body. Learn more about DVT of the upper extremity. Discover the best time to be tested for HIV. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Heywood — Updated on November 4, Share on Pinterest Hand edema thrombosis.

DVT symptoms. Share on Pinterest Formation of a blood clot. Exercises for DVT. Home remedies.