If you think you have a blood clot, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away! Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs.
Should you go to ER if you think you have a blood clot?
If you suspect that you have a blood clot or experience any of the signs and symptoms, you should consider going to the ED. Signs of DVT include: Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. Discomfort, heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs.
How urgent is a leg blood clot?
Both DVT and pulmonary embolism need urgent investigation and treatment. Seek immediate medical attention if you have pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg and develop breathlessness and chest pain.
What doctor do you go to to check for blood clots?
Vascular Specialists and Surgeons. Your doctor may suggest that you see a vascular specialist, an expert at diagnosing and treating problems with your blood vessels and circulation. They might also refer you to a vascular surgeon. They’re trained to remove any clots clogging up the flow of blood in your veins.
Where should I go if I think I have a blood clot? – Related Questions
What are the first signs of a blood clot?
Symptoms of a blood clot include: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
What are the 10 signs of a blood clot?
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots
- Swelling in the leg or arm.
- Tenderness or cramps in the leg.
- Out of breath, or shortness of breath.
- Passing out or feeling lightheaded.
- Chest pain or back pain when breathing.
- Leg discoloration, either a red or blue hue.
- Overdrive, when your heart is racing.
- Time to call 911.
Can your primary doctor check for blood clots?
Your doctor will also give you a physical exam. They’ll check your body for signs of DVT or complications from it. They may check your heart rate, too. Afterward, if your doctor thinks you might have DVT, they’ll order one or more tests to confirm it.
What does a blood clot feel like?
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 the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms.
How do you check for blood clots at home?
This evaluation, known as Homan’s Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there’s deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.
Would a CT scan show a blood clot?
CT scans detect and diagnose blood clots by providing detailed, accurate imagery of the body’s blood vessels and their obstructions. Doctors generally use two CT scan techniques for blood clot detection and diagnosis — CT venography and CT pulmonary angiography.
Does blood clot pain come and go?
Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
How do you rule out PE?
For that reason, your doctor will likely discuss your medical history, do a physical exam, and order one or more of the following tests.
- Blood tests.
- Chest X-ray.
- Ultrasound.
- CT pulmonary angiography.
- Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
- Pulmonary angiogram.
- MRI.
- Medications.
Where do blood clots form in the leg?
Deep vein blood clots typically occur in the lower leg or thigh. “Deep vein thrombosis has classic symptoms—for example swelling, pain, warmth, and redness on the leg,” says Dr. Andrei Kindzelski, an NIH blood disease expert.
How long can a blood clot in the leg go untreated?
It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.
How do doctors check for blood clots in legs?
Duplex ultrasonography is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the flow of blood in the veins. It can detect blockages or blood clots in the deep veins. It is the standard imaging test to diagnose DVT. A D-dimer blood test measures a substance in the blood that is released when a clot breaks up.
Can you walk with blood clot in leg?
The authors concluded that walking exercise was safe in acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and may improve acute symptoms.
What should you not do when you have a blood clot?
DON’T stand or sit in one spot for a long time. DON’T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON’T smoke. DON’T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you’re at risk of bleeding from trauma.
How should I sleep with a blood clot in my leg?
Do not wear them when you sleep. Elevate your legs above the level of your heart. Elevate your legs when you sit or lie down, as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain.
Should you elevate leg blood clot?
A doctor may also instruct a patient to elevate the legs above the heart three or four time a day for about 15 minutes at a time. This can help to reduce swelling. If prolonged standing or sitting is necessary, bending the legs several times will help promote blood circulation.
Does heating pad help blood clots?
It is possible for DVT to resolve itself, but there is a risk of recurrence. To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their legs, use a heating pad, take walks and wear compression stockings.