You usually feel blood clots in the legs (calf/thigh) as pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and tenderness (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT). If the clot travels to the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism - PE), you'll feel chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. Clots in other areas like the arm (swelling/pain) or brain (stroke symptoms like confusion, numbness, vision changes) have distinct symptoms, but leg clots are the most common source.
Signs that you may have a blood clot
leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.
Blood clots can form in your body's blood vessels, which are part of your body's circulatory system. Clots that develop deep in our blood vessels can break off and travel to other parts of the body. While these clots can form anywhere in the body, they most commonly occur in the arms and legs.
To check for a leg blood clot (DVT) in pregnancy, look for one-sided swelling, pain, redness, warmth, or tenderness in the calf or thigh, but immediately contact your doctor or emergency services, as self-diagnosis is risky; they'll use Doppler ultrasound to confirm with imaging and potentially blood tests like D-dimer to rule out clots.
You might have redness and swelling and see a red, hard cord just under the surface of your skin that's tender to the touch. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling, tenderness, and pain in your leg. Superficial thrombophlebitis signs and symptoms include: Warmth, tenderness and pain in the affected area.
Tests used to diagnose or rule out DVT include:
Symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
The five key warning signs of a deep vein blood clot (DVT) often include swelling, pain/tenderness, warmth, redness/discoloration, and sometimes visible veins, usually in one leg or arm, while signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE) like sudden shortness of breath or chest pain are medical emergencies. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial, as DVT can travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal PE.
You can usually stay at home to have your DVT treatment. But you may need to be admitted to hospital if you have any complications or certain problems that put you at higher risk.
You can check for signs of a blood clot (DVT) at home by looking for swelling, redness, warmth, and pain (like a pulled muscle) in one leg, especially the calf, compared to the other. Gently feel for tenderness or firmness and compare calf size (over 1 inch difference is a concern). However, home checks aren't definitive; seek immediate medical care if you suspect DVT, especially with shortness of breath, as it can be life-threatening.
Since deep vein thrombosis & pulmonary embolism symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions, such as muscle strains, respiratory infections, anxiety, pneumonia, or even a heart attack, recognizing the warning signs early can lead to faster diagnosis and life-saving treatment.
While many blood clots dissolve with the help of blood thinners, some dangerous clots require fast-acting clot-busting medications called thrombolytics. Because thrombolytics can cause severe bleeding, doctors usually give them only to people with large, severe clots that increase risk of pulmonary embolism.
If you think you may have a blood clot, see your doctor as soon as possible. Blood clotting can become a problem when it stops your blood from flowing properly.
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.
If your doctor can't fit you in, head to the emergency room or an urgent care facility where they have ultrasound capabilities, which they'll use to check for a clot. If you notice signs of PE (numbers 4 and 5), it warrants an immediate trip to the ER.
Signs of a blood clot traveling
If you're diagnosed with DVT, you may go home from the ER that day with a prescription for blood thinners. However, you may need to stay in the hospital so doctors can keep an eye on your clot. If you're diagnosed with PE, you'll probably need to go to the hospital.
Venous ultrasound: This test is usually the first step for confirming a venous blood clot. Sound waves are used to create a view of your veins. A Doppler ultrasound may be used to help visualize blood flow through your veins. If the results of the ultrasound are inconclusive, venography or MR angiography may be used.
If you visit a vein clinic or hospital for a blood clot and blood thinners are suggested to you, taking aspirin may be an option, instead. It is not for everyone, and will not be enough in all cases, but it does have a similar effect and may work well to reduce the chances of another blood clot in the future.
Don't Ignore These 8 Blood Clot Warning Signs
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help increase blood flow in the legs, reducing the risk of blood clots. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day is recommended to maintain good circulation. Cycling helps keep the leg muscles active, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of blood clots.
Leg swelling. Leg pain, cramping or soreness that often starts in the calf. Change in skin color on the leg — such as red or purple, depending on the color of your skin. A feeling of warmth on the affected leg.
Most DVTs happen in your calf, thigh or pelvis. But they also can occur in other parts of your body, including your arm, brain, intestines, liver or kidney. Deep vein thrombosis (also called venous thrombosis) is common. You need quick diagnosis and treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
The Homan's test has three steps:
However, each person may experience symptoms differently: