What is DVT?
DVT develops when you have a blood clot in one of your deep veins. The condition usually forms in your legs and is linked to chronic venous insufficiency. Some of the warning signs of DVT include:
- Swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg
- Cramping in the calf of your affected leg
- Unexplained, severe pain in your foot and ankle
- A patch of skin that feels warmer than the surrounding area
- The skin over the affected area looks pale blue or red
DVT is a potentially dangerous health condition. If the blood clot in your leg moves, it can travel rapidly through your veins into your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. If you have DVT in your arm or elsewhere in your body, it could lead to a stroke.
What causes DVT?
Many factors contribute to blood clot formation. For example, a traumatic injury or surgery could damage the walls of your veins. When your veins are narrowed or blocked, your circulation is affected, and your risk of developing blood clots increases.
Additionally, if you spend most of your time sitting, the lack of activity can impede your circulation and increase your risk of DVT. Similarly, if you need to spend time on bed rest recovering from surgery or an injury, you have a higher risk of developing blood clots.
Varicose veins are also a warning sign of DVT. If your varicose veins are left untreated, the weakened, swollen veins can extend into your body, eventually reaching your deep veins, creating a place for blood to pool and clot.
How is DVT treated?
Dallas Vein Institute begins with a comprehensive exam, including vascular ultrasounds, to assess your vein health. The ultrasound allows them to identify and locate any blood clots in your veins.
If you have DVT, Dallas Vein Institute provides several treatment options, depending on the severity of your condition. They might prescribe blood-thinning medication or drugs that break up blood clots rapidly. Compression stockings can also alleviate some of your symptoms and support healthy circulation.
In more severe cases, they might recommend a minimally invasive procedure to break up or remove the blood clot. They also offer treatments to close or remove the weakened vein and force your blood to follow a healthier and more efficient route back to your heart.
If you have symptoms of DVT, call Dallas Vein Institute or make an appointment online right away for expert diagnosis and treatment.
