Vein Clots

The process that forms a clot within a blood vessel is called thrombosis. This clot can block the flow of blood within the body. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are two conditions that can occur due to vein clots.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• DVT is a blood clot formation in a deep vein within the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh, but they can occur elsewhere. Symptoms include a swollen area of the leg, pain or tenderness in the leg and red or discolored skin.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

• A pulmonary embolism is a serious condition of DVT. This condition is when a piece of the clot breaks off and travels in your bloodstream to your lungs, where it can block a blood vessel there. This condition can be fatal. Symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain during a deep breath.

Treatments

• Several types of medicine are used to treat deep vein thrombosis, including anticoagulants to decrease your blood's ability to clot and thrombolytics to dissolve a blood clot quickly. Compression stockings can be used to reduce chronic swelling that can occur when a blood clot develops.