HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs
About deep vein thrombosis
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in one of your leg veins. DVT can sometimes cause a very serious condition called pulmonary embolism, which is a clot in one of your lungs.
Important
Because DVT can be serious, if you suspect you might have one, or if you are experiencing any symptoms of a DVT, see your GP as soon as possible.
Symptoms of DVT include:
- swelling
- pain
- tenderness in a leg
- sometimes the veins are obviously sticking out.
Some people are more at risk of DVT. Risk factors can include:
- recent surgery or injury to the area
- previous blood clots or a family history of blood clots
- pregnancy or being recently pregnant, or taking oestrogen (either as the contraceptive pill or as hormone replacement therapy)
- spending a long period of time resting or not moving, for example, recovering in bed after an illness or injury
- travel, especially on a plane, although DVT can happen after train or car travel, if longer than six hours at a time
- some blood conditions, for example, high platelets.
Diagnosing and treating a DVT
Your doctor will assess you and decide how likely it is that you are experiencing DVT. If it's possible you might have a DVT, you may need to have an ultrasound of the affected leg, a blood test, or both. The ultrasound is likely to be free of charge under the public health system, however, you may prefer to pay to have this done privately in Christchurch, Dunedin or Nelson.
If the ultrasound or blood test shows you do have a DVT, you will most likely need treatment with blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication. Your GP may manage this treatment with support from the Community Nursing Service.
Reducing your risk of having another DVT
Your doctor may suggest some tests to find out what caused your DVT. To reduce the risk of further problems, your doctor may suggest you wear compression stockings, but they're not suitable for everyone.
If you wear compression stockings, you can buy a device to help you put them on. This video shows you how to use one of these devices. You can buy a device like this at your local health and mobility shop.
Some people may be at high risk of having another DVT. If you are one of these people, you may be advised to continue taking blood-thinning medication, or to take it in circumstances where you might be at risk of another DVT.
In the future, always tell your doctor or nurse that you've had a DVT, even if you don't know if it is relevant to what you're being treated for.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Canterbury DHB:
- Reducing the risk of blood clots
Information about blood clots and how to reduce the risk of them forming.
- Thrombo-embolus deterrent (TED) stockings
Information about TED stockings, including how they work, how to put them on and how to care for them.
- Reducing the risk of blood clots
- NHS Choices – Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Information and video about DVT. Includes detailed information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Patient.info – Preventing DVT when you travel
Factsheet that discusses the link between DVT and long journeys, and gives prevention advice.
Written by Haematology Department, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by the West Coast DHB. Last reviewed August 2016.
Review key: HIDVT-21919
