What it is
Risk is higher after surgery, during long periods of not moving, in pregnancy and after giving birth, with cancer, on some hormone medicines, and with a previous clot or a family history.
It is treated with blood-thinning medicines (anticoagulants), usually for at least 3 months. Moving around, staying hydrated and sometimes compression stockings help prevent clots.
Common signs
- Throbbing or cramping pain in one leg, usually the calf or thigh
- Swelling in one leg
- Warm skin around the painful area
- Red or darker skin, which may be harder to see on brown or black skin
How it is usually diagnosed
- D-dimer blood test
- Ultrasound scan of the leg veins
- Tests for a cause in some cases
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Ultrasound reports
- Your anticoagulant name, dose and planned duration
- Notes on what likely caused the clot
- Blood test results, including any clotting tests
Questions to ask your doctor
- How long do I need blood thinners?
- What caused this clot?
- What should I do before long flights or surgery in future?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden breathlessness, chest pain that is worse on breathing in, or coughing up blood: call 112, it may be a pulmonary embolism
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.