Blood clots are small clumps of blood that form a gel-like substance. A certain amount of clotting is vital to the body as it prevents excessive bleeding when suffering a cut. But those that don’t dissolve naturally can be a problem.
DVT is particularly concerning as the blood clot can break loose and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Other signs of DVT include:
- Swelling
- Pain or tenderness not caused by injury
- Redness or discoloration of the skin.
Signs that a clot has then reached the lungs are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or lying down
- Coughing, or coughing up blood
- Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat.
“Seek immediate attention if you experience these signs or symptoms,” the alliance warns.
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Treatment
The NHS says: “You may have an injection of an anticoagulant (blood thinning) medicine called heparin while you’re waiting for an ultrasound scan to tell if you have a DVT.
“After DVT is diagnosed, the main treatment is tablets of an anticoagulant medicine, such as warfarin and rivaroxaban. You will probably take the tablets for at least three months.
“If anticoagulant medicines are not suitable, you may have a filter put into a large vein – the vena cava – in your tummy.
“The filter traps and stops a blood clot travelling to your heart and lungs.”