What Are the Signs and Symptoms of DVT?

Immediate diagnosis and treatment of DVT can avoid life-threatening situations. Therefore, knowing the signs and symptoms and acting quickly with a call to the doctor or a trip to the hospital are key steps in saving a life.

Accoding to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, symptoms of DVT include:

• Sudden pain or swelling in the leg or arm
• One leg or arm may appear larger than the other
• Pain or tenderness in the leg-the pain is usually in one leg and may only be present when standing or walking
• Feeling of increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen or that hurts
• Red or discolored skin
• Veins near the surface of the skin enlarged
• Tenderness to the touch along the area of the clot

However, an estimated half or more of DVT cases have no symptoms at all,¹¹ especially for a DVT in the pelvis.

If the clot has broken off and traveled to the lungs (the most dangerous form of venous thrombosis), the symptoms might include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain when taking a deep breath
• Rapid pulse
• Fainting
• Coughing up blood
• Low-grade fever

¹¹ Anderson, F.A., and Audet, A.M. (1998) “Best Practices Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism.” University of Massachusetts Medical School, Center for Outcomes Research. Available on the World Wide Web: www.outcomes-umassmed.org/dvt/.