Small blood clots in the calf can sometimes go undetected for several days or weeks, especially if they don't show any symptoms. If left untreated, however, DVT can travel up the veins in the leg to the lungs or other major organs in the body, leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism or similar complication.
Since this can be a life-threatening condition, you need a quick diagnosis and treatment. 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.
When a blood vessel is damaged due to broken bones, blunt force trauma, severe bruises or significant muscle injuries, the blood around the vessel can become sticky and form a clot. These clots do not necessarily show up immediately, but may occur several days or weeks later.
We can't see or feel these veins, meaning a clot could be “silent” with no symptoms, or it could cause dull, heavy pressure, pain, and swelling. Clots in superficial veins, outside of the muscle tissue, can cause a lump or cord tender to the touch.
“But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don't have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition.
Signs that you may have a blood clot
They're more common after surgery and among people on bed rest or those who sit for long periods without stretching. Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg.
Get advice from 111 now if you think you have a blood clot
Symptoms of a blood clot include: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
Sometimes the symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can be vague and nagging for several weeks, or they can be sudden and severe. Some people have few, if any, symptoms. Pulmonary embolism symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, but if you have any of them, see a GP as soon as possible.
Blood clots after injury are also possible; research shows that seemingly minor injuries cause about 1 in 13 blood clots. This statistic makes it even more important to seek medical treatment after an injury and follow care instructions to ensure a full recovery.
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
Typically, your body will naturally dissolve the blood clot after the injury has healed. Sometimes, however, clots form on the inside of vessels without an obvious injury or do not dissolve naturally. These situations can be dangerous and require accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Important! If you think you have a blood clot, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away! Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs.
Trouble breathing.
If this happens, it could mean that the clot has moved from your arm or leg to your lungs. You may also get a bad cough, and might even cough up blood. You may get pain in your chest or feel dizzy. Call 911 to get medical help right away.
It's a condition called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). It usually affects veins in your leg, but it's also possible in your arm. Signs of the condition, like skin ulcers on your leg or swelling, can be painful or uncomfortable. They can happen a few months or up to 2 years after you have DVT.
The mechanism of hemostasis can divide into four stages. 1) Constriction of the blood vessel. 2) Formation of a temporary “platelet plug." 3) Activation of the coagulation cascade. 4) Formation of “fibrin plug” or the final clot.
Duplex ultrasonography is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the flow of blood in the veins. It can detect blockages or blood clots in the deep veins. It is the standard imaging test to diagnose DVT. A D-dimer blood test measures a substance in the blood that is released when a clot breaks up.
DVT symptoms
tenderness or pain in the affected leg or arm. swelling in the affected leg and foot or arm and hand. skin turning red or purple.
Clotting is a necessary process that can prevent you from losing too much blood in certain instances, such as when you're injured or cut. Blood clots usually dissolve on their own.
New leg pain — such as a calf cramp or charley horse — could signal a blood clot in the leg. But if the pain only lasts for a few seconds and doesn't come back, it's probably not a blood clot. “Blood clot symptoms don't come and go quickly,” says Dr. Tran.
Living with DVT
It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor about using compression stockings.
The skin around the area will become warm and sensitive to touch. The skin may have a reddened appearance as the body works to get rid of the clot. If blood flow is restricted, people often feel pain when they move the affected area, Anyone suffering these symptoms should call 9-1-1 and seek immediate treatment.
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.