Are you considering seeking vein treatment for a blood clot? If so, understanding some of the basic signs and symptoms that come with many of the most common venous conditions can help you make the best decisions for your healthcare needs. Meanwhile, being aware of the potential indicators of a more urgent problem can help you prevent further complications and prioritize your overall well-being.
Thrombosis is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel or heart chamber. While some types of thrombosis are more common based on age and other factors, taking the time to understand some of the most common varieties can empower you to recognize troubling symptoms, make informed decisions about your care upon diagnosis, and continue to manage your health every step of the way.
The two primary forms of thrombosis are broken down into venous and arterial thrombosis. Venous thrombosis occurs in veins that bring blood to the heart, while arterial thrombosis occurs in arteries that carry blood away from the heart. Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific types of venous thrombosis.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thrombosis used to describe any kind of clot that occurs away from the skin and deep inside the body. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these clots typically form in the legs but can also occur in blood vessels in the upper extremities.
It’s crucial to recognize that the risk of developing DVT can increase when a patient remains sedentary for a long period of time, for example, when traveling long distances or staying in bed while recovering from a surgical procedure. Keeping this in mind, one of the primary ways to reduce the risk of DVT is to stay active. Even when recovering from surgery, patients are encouraged to move their legs, ankles, and feet when they are able.
Femoral vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a branch of the largest vein in the leg – the femoral vein. This vein runs from the inside of the legs to the groin area, and when a clot forms here, it may travel to the calf or other areas. The femoral vein is more susceptible to blood clots than superficial veins due to its depth within the thigh, according to Healthline.
Symptoms of femoral vein thrombosis can be similar to those of DVT. These symptoms include noticeable leg swelling, a low-grade fever, and vein tenderness. Those with femoral vein thrombosis may also develop pitting edema, a type of abnormal swelling caused by fluid buildup that doesn’t diminish or reduce in size when pressure is applied for a few seconds. Meanwhile, the calf of the leg affected by femoral vein thrombosis can swell upwards of three centimeters more than the unaffected leg.
While some causes of femoral vein thrombosis have been identified, such as difficulties from a surgical procedure or illness, the condition can also happen without a known reason.
Similar to other forms of venous thrombosis, factors that can increase the odds of developing this type of blood clot include a lack of mobility, a history of DVT or underlying clotting disorder, leg trauma, and medical conditions requiring long-term bed rest. A cancer diagnosis can also increase the risk of developing femoral vein thrombosis.
May-Thurner Syndrome can interrupt blood flow in the legs because it compresses the right iliac artery on the left iliac vein. These two major blood vessels work to help supply the lower part of the torso. While the iliac arteries are already prone to fat and cholesterol buildup, May-Thurner Syndrome often comes without symptoms unless it causes blood to pool in the legs and leads to the development of DVT. When symptoms do appear, signs may include discolored skin on the legs, pain, throbbing, tenderness, feelings of heaviness, and enlarged, swollen leg veins.
While May-Thurner Syndrome is not considered hereditary, the condition is slightly more common in women and adults ages 20 to 50. Women who have recently given birth or who have had more than one child also have a higher risk of developing the condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
While DVT is generally associated with inactivity, even those in top-tier physical shape can develop conditions that cause atypical blood flow. Athletes who make repetitive overhead arm motions, like throwing a baseball or shooting a basketball, can sometimes develop effort-induced thrombosis, also known as Paget–Schroetter disease. This disorder is more common in young males and has a variety of underlying causes.
The first step in managing patients with effort-induced thrombosis typically involves an IV containing an anticoagulant called heparin. The dosage patients receive will be dependent on their weight. This is followed by a maintenance IV drip with the same substance. Meanwhile, patients can alleviate the risk of edema (swelling caused by trapped fluid) by keeping the affected area elevated. But if left untreated, this condition can recur or lead to a pulmonary embolism, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome occurs when the hepatic veins – the veins that drain the liver – become obstructed due to inflammation or compression. A blood clot can cause this condition, which may lead to the backup of blood and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Budd-Chiari syndrome can also result in varices, which are enlarged veins in your stomach, rectum, or esophagus, as well as cirrhosis of the liver and increased pressure in the portal vein, which brings blood from the spleen and digestive tract to the liver.
Keep in mind that between 15 and 20 percent of those with subacute and chronic forms of Budd-Chiari syndrome don’t have any symptoms at all, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
This condition has primary, secondary, acute, and subacute forms, some evolving rapidly. It’s critical to talk to your primary care physician immediately if you develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes), pain in the right upper abdomen, ascites (excess fluid that causes swelling in the abdomen), swelling in the legs, or extreme fatigue.
Recognizing the types, signs, and risk factors associated with the various types of thrombosis can help you make confident and informed decisions about your treatment needs.
If you think you might be experiencing venous thrombosis, visiting a vein care expert is the first step to receiving a quick diagnosis and the high-quality treatment you deserve.
DTV can be life-threatening. If you experience sudden swelling, pain, or redness in your leg, especially if you also experience shortness of breath or chest pain, it's vital to get medical help right away. These symptoms could indicate a serious blood clot!
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers a DVT rule-out service for same-day or next-day diagnosis and treatment plans. Our hotline number is 877-SCAN-DVT.
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