As soon as you notice any symptoms of DVT, you should see a doctor. Blood clots are very treatable. 
“A DVT can be a serious, life-threatening condition, so it’s important to know what puts you at risk,” said Director of Venous Intervention Dr. Jeffrey Braxton at CiC Vein. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself from a life-threatening blood clot is to know what can lead to a DVT. The condition occurs when disease, surgical injuries or medications damage the large, deep veins of the legs. Sitting for long periods of time, major surgery, trauma, being overweight, taking birth control pills, having varicose veins and smoking are contributors. The list also includes aging and a family history of clots.
Once you are aware of the causes, you can be proactive. While some of these risk factors are beyond your control, like aging and family history, lifestyle changes can make a difference in reducing your risk for DVT. For example, “if you sit for long periods of time, and when you travel, get up and move every two to three hours,” explained Dr. Braxton. “Stand up, stretch and walk around a bit to get your blood flowing.” Good circulation is key to good health, too, so getting up frequently throughout the day makes sense all of the time. Losing weight, stopping smoking and increasing your activity level also contribute to healthy legs and your overall well-being. These are steps to talk about with your doctor.
Another risk factor for DVT is varicose veins. “If you have varicose veins, those raised, dark blue veins on your legs, you should see a doctor,” said Braxton. “Treating varicose veins can help reduce your risk.” Leg cramps, warmth, redness, leg pain that gets worse when you bend your foot, and blue or white color change of your skin are all signs to pay attention to. Braxton warned, “Don’t ignore calf pain or leg swelling, especially if it’s only on one side. It could be a sign of DVT.” Other symptoms include a persistent, throbbing “Charlie-horse” feeling. The bottom line is: if something doesn’t feel right, check in with your doctor.
Being in tune with any changes in your legs is most important. If you notice the skin around an area of concern getting red or discolored and feeling warm when you touch it, those are signs of a blood clot getting worse. “This warrants a call to a physician; don’t wait to see if gets better on its own,” said Braxton.
DVT becomes life threatening when the clot breaks free and travels through your blood stream. When it reaches your pulmonary arteries, it forms a pulmonary embolism (PE), preventing the blood from flowing properly through your lungs. This decreases the amount of oxygen absorbed and delivered to your body. “If you have any chest pain, sudden shortness of breath or are coughing up blood, go to the emergency room,” said Braxton. “It could be a PE.” A PE requires immediate treatment.
As soon as you notice any symptoms of DVT, you should see a doctor. Blood clots are very treatable. First line therapy includes anticoagulation medication that reduces clotting. In some cases, a minimally invasive procedure called a thrombolysis can be done to break up the clot and look for any underlying causes. “The important thing is to seek treatment right away,” advised Braxton. “Advanced vein management can address the problem.”
He recommends seeing a vein specialist if you have any signs of varicose veins or a history of DVT in your family. Dr. Braxton’s advice: “Don’t live with legs that feel heavy, tired or cramp. Fixing the underlying problem that may lead to a DVT can have a big impact on your life. The sooner you’re seen, the better your chances are for reducing or avoiding serious complications.” FBN
By Reisha Zang
Reisha Zang is director of communication at CiC. You may contact her at 928-719-7400 or reisha.zang@ciccenters.com.
