Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is a blood clot in a vein. It is most common in the calf muscle area, particularly following surgery and long-haul flights. It is very important this is not misdiagnosed as a calf strain because treating it as one can cause life-threatening complications.

• Pregnant ladies or the first six weeks postpartum

• People who have poor circulation/ or circulatory/vascular conditions

• Being over weight

• Smokers

• People over the age of 50

• Post-surgical intervention/ or a recent fracture

• Family history of DVT

• Contraception pill or receiving hormone therapy

• Being immobile for long periods of time/ traveling on a long haul flight

• Catheter placed into a vein or a deep vein injury

• Blood clotting disorders

• Deep vein thrombosis symptoms consist of constant pain, usually in the calf muscle at the back of the lower leg.

• You may have swelling in the calf muscle area or lower limb

• Skin temperature may seem hot to touch.

• Sometimes a red area is visible in the calf area.

• Pain may be reproduced when passively stretching the calf muscle (you relax the muscle while someone else moves your foot to stretch it.

In rare cases a DVT can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can travel to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. This is a medical emergency and would need urgent attention via A&E or calling 999.

Symptoms of PE include:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Light-headedness or dizziness

• Excessive sweating

• Fever

• Leg pain or swelling, or both, usually in the calf caused by a deep vein thrombosis

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Chest pain

• Clammy or discoloured skin (cyanosis)

If you suspect you might have a DVT you need to seek urgent medical advice.

You can call your GP but if they are not available you could call the NHS 111 service 24hours a day.

• See your doctor for regular check-ups

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Stay active

• Maintain healthy blood pressure

• Don’t smoke

• Avoid sitting for long periods of time

• Stay hydrated

• Compressions socks

• Blood thinner medication if prescribed by a health care professional