Early Warning Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Early Warning Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to the occurrence of blood clots in the veins of the legs, pelvis, or arm. Since this clot can travel to the lung and cause a pulmonary embolism, it can be very serious and requires prompt treatment. The article lists deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms that can enable you to avail immediate medical attention if required.

Swelling
One of the common deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms is swelling. The swelling can occur either in the foot, leg, or in the ankle. It is a common condition that can happen due to various reasons. If you observe swelling on one side with other symptoms, then it is a sign that you may have DVT. In some people, the swelling can be observed in the veins.

Pain
Both swelling and pain are early symptoms of DVT and when you have these two symptoms together, it is time to see a doctor. The cramping pain in DVT usually occurs in the foot or the ankle and is experienced in the leg that has a clot. One of the key signs of DVT is that the leg pain will increase when the foot is bent. If you observe such a symptom, then you must not delay any more.

Cramps
Along with leg pain, one more symptom that most people experience are cramps. The cramps in the leg tend to start in the calf region, be painful, and severe in some cases. A distinctive feature of the cramps is that it usually is more intense at night time.

Redness
A clot can cause redness in the affected area. If you observe redness in any part of the leg it could be because of DVT. This symptom, along with others, can be an indicator of DVT.

Warmth
Having a blood clot can make the skin red and also warm to touch. If you experience warmth in any part of the leg, then it could be a result of DVT.

Discoloration
With redness, there can also be discoloration of the skin as a result of the blood clot in the vein. The discoloration could be bluish or whitish and appear prominently on a part of the skin.

Gradual onset of pain
A person having DVT will experience an increase in pain levels gradually. While pain due to other reasons usually occurs suddenly, it is the opposite in the case of DVT. Tenderness is a related symptom and the area affected will feel tender to touch.

Other symptoms
The above symptoms are some of the most common early warning signs of DVT. In some cases, DVT can progress swiftly, in which case some other severe symptoms may be observed. These includes sudden pain in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. Any of these signs require immediate medical attention as otherwise, they may lead to fatal results.