You can have recurrent DVT while on anticoagulation, but your chances go way down. Some studies show about 2% to 5.5% of people with either DVT or PE have a recurrence within the first 3 months of treatment. Ask your doctor about risks and side effects.
Many people with DVT blood clots will recover completely. But up to 50% will develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a condition that can cause chronic pain, swelling, and discomfort that can permanently affect your quality of life.
In a prospective study of 474 patients with a first DVT, provoked or unprovoked, the risk of recurrence was 4.1% for men and 1.6% for women per person-year during a mean follow-up of 7.3 years (in total 3,477 person-years).
Most patients with DVT or PE recover completely within several weeks to months without significant complications or long-term adverse effects. However, long-term problems can occur, with symptoms ranging from very mild to more severe.
Anyone can develop a deep-vein blood clot at some point in their life. About 2% to 5% of people do. And once you've had DVT, you're a lot more likely to get it again. About 3 in 10 people get a second clot within a decade of their first.
If you're stuck sitting for a long time -- like in a plane or a car for 4 or more hours -- getting up and walking for 5 minutes each hour helps prevent another bout of DVT.
Most DVTs resolve on their own. If a pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs, the prognosis can be more severe. About 25% of people who have a PE will die suddenly, and that will be the only symptom.
Lung Diseases
While a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, most patients survive DVT and need to learn how to live with the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider will probably prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which may be needed for as little as three months but can be lifelong treatment.
Exercise is an effective means to reduce the symptoms and risk of complications from DVT.
Anyone can develop DVT, but it becomes more common over the age of 40. As well as age, there are also some other risk factors, including: having a history of DVT or pulmonary embolism.
You can get deep-vein clots at any age, but it usually affects people who are older than 40. After 40, the risk for DVT and PE may double with each passing decade.
If you're taking a blood thinner, is it still possible to get a blood clot? Answer From Rekha Mankad, M.D. Yes.
Blood clots can wreak havoc on your veins, leading to symptoms that can last for years. Pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in your lungs, isn't the only serious complication that can result from a blood clot deep in your veins.
DON'T stand or sit in one spot for a long time. DON'T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON'T smoke. DON'T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you're at risk of bleeding from trauma.
As many as half of those who get a DVT in their legs develop symptoms of intermittent leg pain and swelling that may last months to years. These symptoms are called post-thrombotic syndrome and can happen because of damage to the valves and inner lining of your veins leading to blood “pooling” more than it should.
Take steps to prevent blood clots. Stand up or walk occasionally. Select an aisle seat when possible so you can walk around every 2-3 hours.
The precise number of people affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown, although as many as 900,000 people could be affected each year in the United States. Sudden death is the first symptom in about one-quarter (25%) of people who have a PE.
The chances of developing DVT are about 1 in 1000 per year, although certain factors greatly increase this risk. The cumulative chance of developing DVT over a lifetime ranges from 2 percent to 5 percent. The chances of developing DVT are about 1 in 1000 per year, although certain factors greatly increase this risk.
DVT can be very serious because blood clots can travel to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs treatment straight away.
Will you be admitted to the hospital or sent home? If a DVT is confirmed, you may be discharged and sent home with injectable or oral anticoagulant medication (sometimes called a blood thinner). That said, every patient is different, and you may be admitted to the hospital if the ER doctor believes it's necessary.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration contributes to the development of sluggish blood flow and blood clots. NYU Langone doctors advise drinking 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water each day for optimal blood flow. It's especially important to do this when your mobility is limited for long periods, such as while traveling.
How Long Can You Have DVT Without Knowing? You can have DVT (deep vein thrombosis) without knowing for several days or weeks. However, some people may experience swelling, pain, or warmth in the affected area. It is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect DVT to prevent potential complications.
For years, if you had a DVT, your doctor would order bed rest. This was thought to lower the risk of a clot traveling through your bloodstream to your lungs. But recent research suggests that bed rest doesn't help people with DVT and that it may be fine for you to get up and move around.