BLOOD CLOTS
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS
AND 
PULMONARY EMBOLISM

What are they?

 

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot.

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, describes a condition in which blood clots form in the deep blood vessels of the legs and groin.  These blood clots can block the flow of blood from the legs back to the heart. 

 

Sometimes, a clot attached to a blood vessel wall breaks loose and travels in the bloodstream.  This is called an embolus.  An embolus that reaches a blood vessel in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism.  This type of clot can block the blood vessel, cut off the oxygen supply to the lung tissue and, in some cases, cause death.

 

Signs of a Blood Clot:

 

A blood clot in a vein may have many symptoms.  Symptoms to watch for include:

 

  • Pain/tenderness in the affected area
  • Swelling in the affected area
  • Heat in the affected area
  • Redness in the affected area

 

If the blood clot is in the lungs, symptoms that might be experienced include:

 

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain

 

If you should experience any of these symptoms, please contact your primary care physician immediately.