Deep Vein Thrombosis - When To Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services if you:
- Have a sudden onset of shortness of breath and/or chest pain. Chest pain from a blood clot that travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) often gets worse with deep breathing.
- Are coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
- Faint or lose consciousness (syncope).
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
Deep Vein Thrombosis Causes and Risks
The main cause of deep vein thrombosis -- also called DVT -- is poor blood flow. When circulation slows, blood can pool and more easily form clots -- raising your DVT risk. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a muscle in your body. It usually happens in legs, but can also develop in your arms, chest, or other areas of your body. And though DVT is common, it can be dangerous. The blood clot can block your circulation or lodge in a blood vessel in your...
Read the Deep Vein Thrombosis Causes and Risks article > >
- Swelling, warmth, or tenderness in the soft tissues of your leg.
- Pain in your leg that gets worse when you stand or walk. This is especially important if there is also swelling or redness in your leg.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you think you have a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis). Call your doctor if you are not sure whether you need to be seen right away. If you have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg, you should be seen immediately.
Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose a blood clot (thrombus) in the leg include:
- Nurse practitioners.
- Physician assistants.
- Family medicine doctors.
- Internists.
- Surgeons.
- Emergency room doctors.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
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