What is DVT?

A DVT is a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the body.

As a result of this clot, the blood flow through the vein is either partially or completely blocked.

Such a clot can also form following surgery to your leg. This is because a period of rest is required after surgery, which may in turn increase blood accumulation in the lower leg. This accumulation may, in some cases, lead to a clot being formed.

The information below will hopefully help improve your understanding of the symptoms of DVT and the action to take should you suspect one.

What increases your risk of a DVT?

• Surgery often leads to a period of enforced rest, which means you are less likely to move around. This in turn affects blood flow.
• Previous DVT, or a family history of DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE).
• Pregnancy or taking the oral contraceptive pill.
• Active cancer or chemotherapy.
• Reduced activity level or immobilisation (for example, long-distance travel).
• Your risk of developing DVT may also increase if you are a smoker and have other medical conditions that affect your blood flow.

Symptoms of DVT

• Calf or leg pain.
• Tightness in the calf.
• Swelling in the whole leg.
• Swelling around the ankle.
• Tenderness when you squeeze the calf muscle area.

What do you do if you suspect you have a DVT?

If you have any of the symptoms listed previously, please call NHS 111 and explain your history, including recent surgery to your leg.

They may ask you some more questions to decide whether you need to be seen by the hospital medical team, who will assess you further.

The hospital medical staff will use appropriate scoring tools and will tell you if you need a blood test, known as a D-dimer test.

If this test is positive, they may place you on blood-thinning medication (known as anticoagulants) and arrange an ultrasound scan of the deep veins in your leg.

This scan may be carried out within the next day or two.

It is important that you do not ignore these symptoms, as the timely detection of a DVT helps prevent serious complications by starting appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Calf pain (after injury or surgery) plus one or more of the symptoms previously listed.

Call NHS 111 and seek guidance.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

If your DVT (clot in the leg) has moved through your bloodstream towards the lungs, it may cause a pulmonary embolism, which requires urgent medical attention as it could be life-threatening.

Pulmonary embolism is the most common complication of DVT and can occur if the DVT has not been treated.

Symptoms of PE

• Chest pain which increases when you breathe in.
• Shortness of breath.
• Upper back pain.
• Coughing or coughing up blood.
• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

If you develop these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention by attending the emergency department (A&E).