You may have noticed it while exploring the tidal pools at Point of Rocks, or when you’re out enjoying one of Sarasota’s many festivals. You could feel it while walking to the 11th hole with your golfing buddies.
Your leg hurts deep down with a heavy ache. It might be swollen and tender or feel like it’s cramping. The skin probably feels warm to the touch where the hurt is most prevalent.
These symptoms suggest you might have DVT: deep vein thrombosis. This blood clot in the deeper veins poses a major, potentially fatal health threat that needs immediate attention.
At Florida Lakes Vein Center, our DVT treatments in Sarasota can relieve the symptoms and address the deep vein thrombosis itself. Request a screening as soon as possible to find out if DVT is the issue, or call 941.866.8989 for an appointment and more information.
Read on to understand DVT’s signs, treatments, and what you can do to help prevent further blood clots.
Signs and Symptoms of DVT
Deep vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. This clot can block blood flow, leading to discomfort and difficulty with movement.
DVT symptoms can include:
- A heavy ache in the affected leg
- Throbbing or cramping pain in the calf or thigh of one leg (rarely both legs)
- Swelling in one leg
- Warmth in the skin of the painful area
- Red or darkened skin in the painful area
- Swollen veins that are hard or tender to the touch
- Pitting edema (when you press your finger into the limb and it leaves a long-lasting indentation)
Why You Should Seek Treatment Immediately
Deep vein thrombosis can become much more serious if the clot breaks loose. If it travels to the lungs, it can cause a life-threatening event called a pulmonary embolism. Left untreated, 1 in 10 people who have a DVT will end up developing a pulmonary embolism.
Other issues that DVT can cause if left untreated include:
- Vein inflammation (phlebitis). This happens when more clots form in veins, causing inflammation, irritation, and pain.
- Venous ulcers. DVT can damage veins, causing blood to pool (venous insufficiency) and lead to high blood pressure in the legs. The leg then swells, putting pressure on the skin that leads to ulcers.
Seeking DVT treatments in Sarasota can help you alleviate symptoms and eventually address the blood clot itself.
Treating Deep Vein Thrombosis
At Florida Lakes Vein Center, we create a personalized plan for your DVT treatments based on your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here; we consider your overall health to treat not just the symptoms but also the underlying cause.
Treatment Goals
When we identify DVT, our treatment goals include:
- Preventing the clot from growing
- Reducing the risk of long-term complications (post-thrombotic syndrome)
- Implementing measures to prevent future blood clots
- Preventing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism
Often, medication and lifestyle changes can effectively treat DVT. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, and our specialists will ensure you understand all your treatment options.
The DVT Treatment Process
We start by getting to know you and your health history. Your vein specialist will discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and any relevant details. This conversation, along with a visual exam, helps us understand your current and recent symptoms, such as:
- Leg heaviness or fatigue
- Restless legs
- Itching or burning skin
- Leg or ankle swelling
- Leg pain, aching, cramping, or throbbing
- Skin discoloration or texture changes
- Open wounds or sores
This dialogue allows you to openly share any additional information you think is important.
If we discover during diagnosis that deep vein thrombosis didn’t cause your leg swelling, we’ll look for other potential issues such as damaged veins or post-surgical swelling, and provide appropriate treatment. Our goal is to create a thorough and personalized treatment plan for your DVT.
Related topic: Lymphedema treatment in Sarasota.
Precise Diagnosis
After our initial discussion and visual exam, we use ultrasound technology to examine the affected area. This advanced, non-invasive device gives us detailed images of your veins and surrounding tissue.
We use Doppler ultrasound to see blood flow and any blockages in real time, and Duplex ultrasound to combine regular and Doppler images for a comprehensive view. These tools allow us to diagnose DVT quickly and accurately, determining the best course of treatment and whether or not surgery is necessary.
DVT Treatment and Follow-Up
With an accurate diagnosis, we can move forward with your DVT treatments in Sarasota. Your specialist will likely prescribe medication and schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your progress.
Once the DVT is under control, we can usually discontinue blood thinner medication for most patients.
When You Need Hospitalization
If DVT poses an immediate threat to life, hospitalization may be required. However, we manage most DVT cases in our office with regular follow-ups and medication.
At-Home Care
Your vein specialist will explain what to expect from your treatment and how to care for yourself at home. We’ll discuss ways to prevent future DVT, including lifestyle changes, eliminating bad habits, and incorporating exercise to improve circulation.
As part of your DVT treatments in Sarasota, we’ll make recommendations for preventative/restorative measures you can do at-home. We may recommend any (or all) of the following:
- Wearing Compression Stockings. These gently squeeze your legs to help blood flow back toward your heart and reduce swelling.
- Moving Your Legs. If you’ve been on bed rest or had surgery, start moving your legs as soon as possible.
- Avoiding Crossing Legs. Don’t cross your legs while sitting to ensure proper blood flow.
- Taking Breaks. Stretch your legs frequently when traveling.
- Standing or Walking on Planes. Get up and move around occasionally during flights.
- Not Smoking. Avoid smoking to improve circulation and overall health.
- Managing Your Weight. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain on your veins.
- Exercising Regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day to promote good blood flow.
Before you leave our center, you’ll have all the information you need to address your DVT from multiple angles and improve your overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes DVT?
Any factor that disrupts proper blood flow or causes clotting can lead to deep vein thrombosis. Here are the key mechanisms through which poor blood circulation contributes to DVT:
- Blood Flow Stagnation. Prolonged immobility, such as sitting or standing for long periods, can cause blood to pool in the veins. When blood flow slows down, it can lead to clot formation.
- Blood Vessel Damage. Reduced blood flow can increase pressure in the veins, damaging the inner lining (endothelium). This exposes underlying tissues to blood, triggering a coagulation cascade that can form a clot.
- Increased Clotting Factors. Sluggish blood flow can elevate the levels of coagulation factors in the bloodstream. While these factors are essential for clotting and wound repair, an excess can lead to clots in pooled blood.
- Hypercoagulability. Poor blood flow can increase the blood’s tendency to clot, even without elevated clotting factors.
Poor blood circulation contributes to clot formation in various ways, potentially leading to DVT and the need for treatment.
Related topic: Varicose vein treatment in Sarasota.
Factors Contributing to Venous Damage
Vein damage can result from surgery, inflammation, infection, or other injuries. If this damage is close to the skin’s surface, it may appear as varicose or spider veins.
Damage can affect the vein walls (phlebitis) and cause valve malfunction, preventing blood from flowing backward. Malfunctioning valves can cause blood to pool, increasing pressure and causing the vein to distend.
In both cases—vein inflammation or valve damage—blood flow decreases, which increases the risk of clot formation and the need for DVT treatments in Sarasota.
Other Risk Factors for DVT
Beyond vein damage, other factors can increase the risk of developing DVT, including:
- Aging
- Sedentary lifestyle
Pregnancy - Hormonal medications
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Orthopedic or general surgery
- Certain cancers
- Heart failure
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Genetics/family history
What is the survival rate for DVT?
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, Americans have a 95% to 97% survival rate after discovering and treating deep vein thrombosis. If the DVT has been left untreated and the patient develops a pulmonary embolism, the rate drops to 77% to 94%.
Every patient is different; DVT affects each person differently. It’s also important to note that treating DVT before an embolism is key to reducing the health risk associated with deep vein thrombosis.
How can I check for DVT at home?
We always recommend scheduling a vein screening if you experience symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. This is the best way to diagnose the issue, and subsequently to get immediate DVT treatments in Sarasota should the DVT be discovered.
Also, you should understand that 30% to 40% of DVT cases go undetected without professional evaluation, because the typical symptoms don’t show. If you still wish to “DIY,” you can try a simple exercise to determine if you have Homans Sign—tenderness and pain in the calf.
To do a “Homans Test” at home, follow these steps:
- Find a comfortable place on the floor to lay flat on your back.
- Extend the suspected leg.
- Have a family member/friend lift the leg, at the ankle or heel, to about 10 degrees.
- Have the person gently squeeze the calf, and if necessary, do a quick dorsiflexion (slight tug toward their body) of the foot.
- If there’s pain in the calf from this gentle test, DVT is likely.
Again, we want to emphasize that your best and safest way to test for deep vein thrombosis is with a professional vein specialist, using noninvasive technology that requires no manipulation of the problem area.
Does lymphedema ever go away?
This question comes up when diagnosis confirms lymphedema. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, and once it develops it’s permanent. With lymphedema treatment in Sarasota, we can reduce the swelling, treat any ulceration, and get you back to living your life.
Don’t Wait to Get Help
DVT can be dangerous as is, and deadly if left untreated. Contact us for a personal consultation, or call us at 941.866.8989. Our DVT treatments in Sarasota can get you back on your feet again, so that you can get back to the golf course, the beach, the dance floor, and most importantly—the quality of life you deserve.
Vein Care is a “No Veiner!”
At Florida Lakes Vein Center, our compassionate team of expert caregivers have helped more than 10,000 patients across the region address their vein issues, with excellent results. We pride ourselves on being the top providers of DVT treatments in Sarasota, and are ready to help you today.