Deep Venous Thrombosis Specialist

What is deep venous thrombosis?

Deep venous thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep veins of your legs Unlike the superficial veins that pass near to the surface of your skin, the deep veins are further in, closer to your bones. A clot can affect your circulation and cause symptoms such as:

• Swelling in one leg
• Pain and cramping
• Heat in the affected leg
• Soreness or tenderness
• Skin discoloration

Deep venous thrombosis symptoms are often mild, and some people have a DVT without experiencing any problems at all. 

Because deep venous thrombosis can cause potentially life-threatening complications, it's essential to have any symptoms investigated, no matter how mild they are.

What complications can deep venous thrombosis cause?

The most urgent complication that can develop from a deep venous thrombosis is pulmonary embolism (PE). A pulmonary embolism might occur if part of the clot in your leg breaks off and travels through your veins to your lungs.

The broken-off clot can get stuck in the lung tissues and affect your ability to breathe. This could cause death within a short time, so it requires emergency medical attention.

What causes deep venous thrombosis?

Deep venous thrombosis is due to a circulatory issue that means your blood isn't flowing freely or is more prone to clotting than it should be. One of the most frequent reasons this happens is staying in one position for too long. DVT often affects people who've been on bed rest or traveled long distances.

Other factors that can increase your risk of DVT include:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Birth control pills
• Inherited blood-clotting disorders
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Congestive heart failure
• Vein injuries
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Family history of DVT

The Cary Cardiology, P.A., team can confirm or rule out a deep venous thrombosis using their advanced on-site diagnostic systems, such as vascular and Doppler ultrasound.

What treatment would I need for a deep venous thrombosis?

The priority when treating DVT is to ensure that the clot in your leg doesn't detach and cause a pulmonary embolism. You might therefore need to take anticoagulants (blood-thinning medication) to make your blood less sticky.

Heparin, oral warfarin pills, or a combination of both is the standard approach to treating deep venous thrombosis. If your DVT is particularly severe or poses a significant risk, or you have a pulmonary embolism, clot-busting medications called thrombolytics help to break the clot down safely.

If you can't take blood thinners, your provider can fit a filter in the large vena cava vein in your abdomen. This filter stops any clots that break away from your leg veins from reaching your lungs.

For expert treatment of your deep venous thrombosis and any complications arising from it, call Cary Cardiology, P.A., or book an appointment online today.