Deep Vein Thrombosis
If blood moves too slowly through your veins, it can cause a blood clot. A blood clot is a collection, or mass, of blood cells. When this happens in a vein deep inside your body, it is called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.
DVT is a serious condition because it can hinder blood flow. It requires treatment right away. The expert team at Emory Heart & Vascular can help.
DVT can happen when you have damage to a vein. Infection, inflammation, injury or surgery can damage your veins.
Your chance of getting DVT is higher if you have cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease or an inherited blood disorder. The risk for this condition also is greater for people who are:
Sometimes, DVT can occur without any identifiable risk factor.
Most deep vein blood clots occur in the thigh or calf. But they can also appear in other areas of the body, such as the pelvis or arm. Symptoms include:
DVT also may occur without any noticeable symptoms. If you think you may have DVT, call your doctor right away.
If a blood clot moves from the vein to the bloodstream, it can get stuck in a blood vessel in the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolism (PE). PE blocks blood flow and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of PE include:
If you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, you will want to call your doctor and get medical care immediately.
Your doctor will first examine your body and look for signs of DVT. They may also do other procedures such as:
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