Blood Clot Symptoms │In Leg
Blood Clot Symptoms
While haemostasis is necessary for survival, the pathological formation of a blood clot, or thrombosis, poses significant health risks.6
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often asymptomatic. The first sign of thrombosis may be pulmonary embolism (PE) — a potentially fatal cardiovascular event, responsible for up to 10% of deaths in the hospital.52 Therefore, waiting for the signs and symptoms of venous thrombembolism (VTE) to appear before instituting anticoagulant treatment increases the risk of morbidity and mortality.6
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often asymptomatic. The first sign of thrombosis may be pulmonary embolism (PE) — a potentially fatal cardiovascular event, responsible for up to 10% of deaths in the hospital.52 Therefore, waiting for the signs and symptoms of venous thrombembolism (VTE) to appear before instituting anticoagulant treatment increases the risk of morbidity and mortality.6
Symptoms of Blood Clot in Leg
Venous blood clots (also known as venous thromboembolism, or VTE) originate in the blood vessels that transport the blood back to heart and from there to the lungs. VTE can take the form of either a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in a deep vein (usually in the leg), or a pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially life-threatening blood clot blocking a vessel in the lungs.14
Clinical symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling, pain, and discolouration of the affected extremity. Physical examination may reveal calf tenderness, unilateral oedema, warmth, skin discolouration, and superficial venous dilation. However, many of these signs and symptoms can occur in other conditions and therefore have a low predictive value for diagnosing DVT.14
Clinical symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling, pain, and discolouration of the affected extremity. Physical examination may reveal calf tenderness, unilateral oedema, warmth, skin discolouration, and superficial venous dilation. However, many of these signs and symptoms can occur in other conditions and therefore have a low predictive value for diagnosing DVT.14
See also: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
See also: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
- 6 - Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, et al. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133(6 suppl):381S-453S.
- 52 - Francis CW. Clinical practice. Prophylaxis for thromboembolism in hospitalized medical patients. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(14):1438-1444.
- 14 - Turpie AG, Chin BS, Lip GY. Venous thromboembolism: pathophysiology, clinical features, and prevention. BMJ. 2002;325(7369):887-890.
