The formation of a blood clot in the leg is also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or deep vein thrombosis. DVT is a serious condition that requires medical attention because the clot can dilute and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be fatal. Pulmonary embolism can kill the sufferer quickly if the embolus is large enough, with statistics stating 90% of patients die within the first few hours. The presence of small emboli is much more common and is managed successfully in the majority of cases. Although DVT has no signs, by identifying the symptoms and getting the right medical attention, you can detect a blood clot in the leg.
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Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of DVT
Step 1. Watch for swelling in the legs
Because the clot can block blood flow, blood will build up. Disruption of blood flow due to the presence of this clot can cause swelling in the legs. Sometimes, the symptoms of DVT are only indicated by swelling.
- Be aware that swelling is generally only in one leg, although it can also be in the arm.
- Gently touch the foot and compare it to the healthy leg. The swelling may be minor and not noticeable to touch, but you can tell by wearing pants, sports gear, or high boots.
- Make sure you also check and feel the veins in the legs.
Step 2. Notice if the leg is sore or sore
Many people with DVT also experience aches and pains in the legs. In many cases, they describe the feeling as cramping or muscle spasms.
Make a note of when the foot is sore or sore to exclude other causes such as injury. Write down whether cramps or muscle spasms occur during or after exercise, or when you just walk or sit. Maybe you only feel pain when standing or walking. In most cases, the pain starts in the calf and spreads from there
Step 3. Feel if your feet are warm
In some cases, the leg or arm feels warm to the touch. When checking for other symptoms, place a hand on each leg to see if one area feels warmer than the other.
Be aware that the warmth may only be in the area that is swollen or painful. However, it's a good idea to feel the entire foot so you can more easily detect where it's warm versus the area where the temperature isn't different
Step 4. See if there is any color change
The skin of the feet with DVT also shows discoloration. A red or bluish patch of skin can indicate a blood clot.
Be aware that this discoloration may look like a bruise that won't go away. Make sure you pay attention to whether the color changes or stays red or blue. If it doesn't change, it could be a sign of a blood clot
Step 5. Recognize the symptoms of PE
A blood clot in the leg may not show any obvious signs or symptoms. However, if all or part of the clot dilutes and enters your lungs, you may experience breathing-related symptoms. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sharp pain when breathing, which gets worse when breathing deeply
- Very fast heart rate
- A sudden cough, which may be accompanied by blood or mucus
- Dizziness or headache
- Faint
Step 6. Identify the risk factors for DVT
Almost anyone can develop a blood clot in the leg. There are many risk factors that contribute to DVT. Your risk may be higher if you have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Have you had any surgery, but especially surgery on the pelvis, abdomen, hips, or knees?
- Smoke
- Take birth control pills
- Broken thigh bone
- Undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- Have to rest in bed for a long time
- Injury
- Overweight or obesity
- Pregnant or giving birth
- Have cancer
- Suffering from inflammatory bowel disease
- Having heart failure or a heart attack
- Have a personal or family history
- Have you ever had a stroke?
- Over 60 years old
- Sitting for long periods of time, especially when driving or flying
Part 2 of 3: Getting a Medical Diagnosis
Step 1. Consult a doctor
The only sure way to tell if you have a blood clot in your leg is with a medical diagnosis. If you experience symptoms of a blood clot in your leg without signs of PE, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Make sure the clinic or hospital knows your reasons so they can schedule an appointment without delay. The doctor will perform a full examination, diagnostic tests, and prescribe or suggest the appropriate treatment based on your condition.
Answer all of your doctor's questions about your symptoms, when they started and what could make your symptoms worse or better. Make sure your doctor knows what medications you're taking, whether you've had cancer treatment, or have recently had surgery or an injury
Step 2. Have a physical examination
Before suggesting other, more in-depth tests, your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for signs of DVT that you may not detect. Your feet will be examined. In addition, the doctor will also measure blood pressure and hear the heartbeat and lungs.
Tell if any part of the exam is painful, such as pain when taking deep breaths while your doctor listens to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
Step 3. Run diagnostic tests
Your doctor may suggest additional tests to determine if you have a DVT or determine how serious the condition is. The most common diagnostic tests for DVT are:
- Ultrasound, which is the most common DVT test. This procedure takes pictures of the veins and arteries in the legs so the doctor can better examine the clot.
- The D-dimer test, which measures a substance in the blood that is released when the clot dilutes. A high level indicates a deep venous blood clot.
- Spiral CT scan of the chest or ventilation/perfusion (VQ) to exclude cases of pulmonary embolism.
- Venography, which is performed when ultrasound does not provide a clear diagnosis. This procedure involves an injection of dye and an X-ray that illuminates the vein. X-rays can indicate whether blood flow is slowing, which is a sign of a deep vein clot.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) scans to take pictures of organs. This test is unusual for DVT, but is more common for the diagnosis of PE.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Blood Clots in Feet
Step 1. Take anticoagulants
If you've been diagnosed with DVT, your doctor will try to stop the clot from growing, prevent the clot from rupturing and traveling to the lungs, and reducing the chances of another clot forming. The most common way that doctors do is prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners. This drug is available as a pill, injection under the skin, or intravenously. Patients with acute DVT should be hospitalized for anticoagulant therapy.
- Make sure you ask about the blood retailer to drink. The two most common types are warfarin and heparin. Initially, you may start with heparin and then continue with warfarin. Warfarin is given in pill form and may cause side effects such as headaches, rashes, and hair loss. Heparin is available in various forms, your doctor will discuss the best option for you. Heparin also has side effects such as bleeding, skin rash, headache, and upset stomach.
- Be aware that your doctor may prescribe heparin and warfarin at the same time. You may also be prescribed an injectable blood retailer such as enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), or fondaparinux (Arixtra).
- Follow the doctor's instructions so that your treatment is effective. Taking more or less of the drug will get serious side effects. Check in weekly for blood tests or as directed by your doctor.
Step 2. Accept the filter implant
Some people cannot take blood thinners or anticoagulants are not effective at treating blood clots. In this case, the doctor may suggest a procedure to insert a filter into the vena cava, which is a large vein in the abdomen. This filter can prevent clots that have ruptured in the legs from moving to the lungs.
Step 3. Break the clot with thrombolytics
Severe cases of DVT require drugs called thrombolytics, which are also called clot breakers. This medicine breaks down clots, which the body normally does naturally along with other medicines.
- Be aware that thrombolytics have a high risk of causing bleeding, and that they should only be given in severe or life-threatening cases.
- Be aware that because of their seriousness, thrombolytics are only given in hospital intensive care units. Your doctor will give this medication through an IV or a catheter placed directly into the clot.
Step 4. Put on compression stockings
As a complement to DVT treatment, your doctor may recommend that you wear compression stockings. These stockings can prevent swelling as well as buildup and blood clots in the legs.
- Get stockings that are sized by your doctor or medical device provider. This ensures that you have enough pressure to effectively prevent clots. Stockings of all sizes may not be as effective as stockings specifically made for you.
- Wear stockings for two to three years, if possible.
Step 5. Run the operation
Thrombectomy is a type of surgery used to remove a clot from the leg. This procedure is performed in rare cases, such as if the clot is very severe, worsens, or doesn't react to medication.
