Why dvt happen

A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area. Deep vein thrombosis DVT occurs when a blood clot thrombus forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but also can occur with no symptoms. You can get DVT if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. A blood clot in your legs can also happen if you don't move for a long time, such as after you have surgery or an accident, when you're traveling a long distance, or when you're on bed rest.

Deep vein thrombosis can be very serious because blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and get stuck in your lungs, blocking blood flow pulmonary embolism. However, pulmonary embolism can occur with no evidence of DVT. Pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Blood clots most often start in the legs and travel up through the right side of the heart and into the lungs.

This is called DVT. If you develop signs or symptoms of DVT , contact your doctor. If you develop signs or symptoms of a pulmonary embolism PE — a life-threatening complication of deep vein thrombosis — seek emergency medical help.

The main causes of DVT are damage to a vein from surgery or trauma and inflammation due to infection or injury. Many things can increase your risk of developing DVT. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk of DVT. Pregnancy and the first 6 weeks after giving birth. Recent or ongoing treatment for cancer. A central venous catheter. This is a tube placed in a vein to allow easy access to the bloodstream for medical treatment. Older age. Overweight or obesity. Your risk for DVT increases if you have more than one of the risk factors listed above.

They include: Swelling of the leg, or along a vein in the leg Pain or tenderness in the leg, which you may feel only when standing or walking Increased warmth in the area of the leg that's swollen or painful Red or discolored skin on the leg Pulmonary Embolism Some people aren't aware of a deep vein clot until they have signs and symptoms of PE. Signs and symptoms of PE include: Unexplained shortness of breath Pain with deep breathing Coughing up blood Rapid breathing and a fast heart rate also may be signs of PE.

Diagnosis Your doctor will diagnose deep vein thrombosis DVT based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results.

Medical History To learn about your medical history, your doctor may ask about: Your overall health Any prescription medicines you're taking Any recent surgeries or injuries you've had Whether you've been treated for cancer Physical Exam Your doctor will check your legs for signs of DVT, such as swelling or redness. Common Tests The most common test for diagnosing deep vein blood clots is ultrasound. Your doctor also may recommend a D-dimer test or venography ve-NOG-rah-fee.

Treatment Doctors treat deep vein thrombosis DVT with medicines and other devices and therapies. The main goals of treating DVT are to: Stop the blood clot from getting bigger Prevent the blood clot from breaking off and moving to your lungs Reduce your chance of having another blood clot Medicines Your doctor may prescribe medicines to prevent or treat DVT. The following situations may change the length of treatment: If your blood clot occurred after a short-term risk for example, surgery , your treatment time may be shorter.

If you've had blood clots before, your treatment time may be longer. If you have certain other illnesses, such as cancer, you may need to take blood thinners for as long as you have the illness. Thrombin Inhibitors These medicines interfere with the blood clotting process. Thrombolytics Doctors prescribe these medicines to quickly dissolve large blood clots that cause severe symptoms.

Other Types of Treatment Vena Cava Filter If you can't take blood thinners or they're not working well, your doctor may recommend a vena cava filter.

Graduated Compression Stockings Graduated compression stockings can reduce leg swelling caused by a blood clot. Talk with your doctor about how long you should wear compression stockings. If you're at risk for these conditions: See your doctor for regular checkups. Take all medicines as your doctor prescribes. Get out of bed and move around as soon as possible after surgery or illness as your doctor recommends. Moving around lowers your chance of developing a blood clot.

Exercise your lower leg muscles during long trips. This helps prevent blood clots from forming. Follow the steps above and: Take all medicines that your doctor prescribes to prevent or treat blood clots. Follow up with your doctor for tests and treatment. Use compression stockings as your doctor directs to prevent leg swelling. During long trips, it may help to: Walk up and down the aisles of the bus, train, or airplane.

If traveling by car, stop about every hour and walk around. Move your legs and flex and stretch your feet to improve blood flow in your calves. Wear loose and comfortable clothing.

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol. Clinical Team Charles M. About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of DVT are—. Call your doctor if you experience any of these signs of a blood clot in your arm or leg:.

Part of a blood clot in a vein DVT can travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism PE. People can recover from this if the clot is small and they get the right treatment. But a large clot can stop blood from reaching the lungs, causing death. This is the leading cause of death in people with cancer after the cancer itself. As many as half of all PEs in cancer patients are found in this way.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these signs of a blood clot in your lung:. Nearly one-third of people who get a DVT will have long-lasting health problems as a result. This is called post-thrombotic syndrome PTS. PTS can cause swelling, pain, darkening or redness of the skin, and other problems.

There may be pain or soreness in the area when walking or standing. Veins may seem enlarged, with warmth emanating from the area. The skin may turn a reddish or bluish color. However, sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. A number of factors contribute to the development of deep vein thrombosis. Individuals may have a genetic tendency that facilitates clotting of the blood.

Prolonged sitting or bed rest can contribute to the development of the condition.