Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood flow slows down or stops in deep veins – veins located along the muscles or bones. When the blood does not have the circulation it should be, platelets and other coagulation factors begin to stick together until the clots form. A clot can limit or completely block blood to the heart’s prevalence, resulting in swelling, pain and the appearance of blood vessels in the affected area. DVT may occur after prolonged periods of immobility (such as long flights or hospitalization) or potential risk factors such as surgery, pregnancy, certain medications, or genetic conditions.
Dr. Joseph Naoum, a Houston Methodist cardiovascular surgery employee and an endovascular and vascular surgeon at the Methodist Hospital in Houston Methodist Hospital, uses a metaphor to explain why problems arise when platelets and coagulation factors gather: “In contrast, an accident on the highway can block the route, causing severe congestion and affect traffic flowing from the feeder road.”
This is what happens in our bodies when blood clots form deep veins instead of surfaces. Unlike surface veins near the skin (feeder path), deep veins do most of their work in circulating blood back to the heart. A clot can partially or completely block blood flow and affect the entire system, resulting in more serious complications.
According to vascular experts, this is the risks you should be aware of and the products that may help prevent and recover.
Who has the greatest risk?
As many as 80% of DVT cases occur in people with at least one known risk factor. Having one or more risk factors will also increase your risk of developing multiple DVTs in the future. Some common DVT risk factors include:
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A family history of blood clots or genetic conditions that increase the risk of clotting
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Perform surgery, especially involving the lower limb or neurovascular system
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Pregnancy or recent delivery
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Some medications, such as oral contraceptives
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Personal history of DVT or other blood clotting disorders
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Cancer and some treatment methods
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Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS), a rare autoimmune disease
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Have one or more chronic health conditions involving the heart, kidney, circulation, or lungs
Naoum said the family history, which is usually condensed by family, shows that the genetic predisposition to hypercoagulant diseases is a strong predictor of DVT. Studies have shown that people with factor V Leiden mutations or prothrombin mutations have significantly higher risk of DVT than patients without these genetic variants. Other hereditary coagulation disorders that increase the risk of DVT include protein C deficiency, protein deficiency and factor XII deficiency.
Lifestyle factors can increase your risk
Although certain health conditions and medications can increase your risk of blood clots, lifestyle choices play a big role. “Any condition that leads to persistent or prolongs fixedness can increase the risk of developing DVT,” Naoum said.
Sitting or sitting for a long time, especially during travel or recovering from surgery, can affect blood flow and increase the chance of a blood clot. Patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities are at higher risk because their bodies’ natural mechanisms such as routine exercise and activity are restricted.
Other lifestyle factors that increase risk include sitting work, fracture or casting, resting in bed and trauma.
Symptoms of DVT
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Physicians, many people do not experience any DVT symptoms. But when symptoms are present, they usually include:
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Swelling of affected legs
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Redness or discoloration of the skin
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Veins that look bigger, thicker or swollen than usual
“Blood clots can range from 2.5 to 15 millionmeters in diameter and, if left untreated, depending on the location of a clot in the leg (ie, above the groin-iliofemoral veins or the groin-knee-femoropoliteal veins) patients can sustain chronic swelling and ulceration to their legs, known as the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS),” says Dr. John Shao, an interventional cardiologist with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and RWJBARNABAS Healthcare Medical Team. PTS causes pain, swelling and discoloration in the legs and may require lifelong treatment.
“More serious consequences [of DVT] “It is a blood clot that can be removed from the blood vessel wall and into the lungs, becoming a potentially life-threatening disease called pulmonary embolism (PE),” Shao said.
When to seek advanced care and treatment options
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned or risk factors for DVT, you should see a vascular specialist performing a thorough examination. “Consistent leg pain or swelling, especially simultaneous breathing or chest pain, requires immediate medical care in a hospital or medical facility,” Xiao said.
“The ultrasound will be performed there to confirm the size, location and acuity of the clot so that your doctor can decide on the appropriate treatment options,” Shao said. “We will also do cat scans to rule out pulmonary embolism, which is more dangerous if noted.”
While treatment depends on the clot, the severity and health of the symptoms, Shaw says anticoagulants (such as intravenous heparin, injectable lovenox and oral warfarin) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) (DOACS) can be used to dilute the blood and prevent blood clots from growing. Other options include catheter-oriented thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy to remove clots, venous stents, and compression therapy (compression socks or devices) to improve venous return to the legs.
Reduce your DVT risk
You cannot control all the risk factors for DVT, such as inherited blood clotting disorders or family history of blood clots, but you can take steps to enhance your circulation. Compression stockings help blood flow and relieve symptoms in patients with a history of venous insufficiency or blood clots, said Dr. Kofi Quaye, a board-certified vascular surgeon for cardiothoracic surgeon and vascular surgeon in Austin, Texas.
“We recommend that compression stockings are a form of noninvasive treatment for varicose veins,” Quaye said. According to a 2022 study in the field of cardiovascular medicine, varicose veins (a common sign of venous insufficiency) are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Quaye explains that understanding how your circulatory system works and how the form of blood clots can help you see the benefits of compression therapy. “Our heart is committed to pumping oxygenated blood into the body through high-pressure blood vessels called arteries, while deoxygenated blood recovers through low-pressure blood vessels called veins,” he said. These veins have a structure called valves that ensure blood flows from the legs to the heart in a way. “This also helps with the contraction of the legs on the walk.”
If these valves are damaged, blood accumulates in the veins until the pressure increases, triggering the inflammatory process. “This inflammation, coupled with increased venous pressure, leads to the development of spider veins, varicose veins, skin changes, and even severe forms of ulcers,” Quaye said.
Compression therapy with stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCD) squeezes the legs to create pressure that pushes blood towards the heart. IPCD is placed around inflatable boots or sleeves in the expanded legs that are placed in the air and is usually used in hospitals to prevent DVT from high-risk patients.
The best products for preventing DVT
Quaye said the degree of symptoms of the patient determines the recommended compression, from the perspective of pressure (MMHG) of the pressure (MMHG). Standard over-the-counter compression socks include Level 1 and some Category 2, while others (3 and 4) usually require a prescription.
Here is a breakdown of the meaning of each class:
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Level 1: Mild compression (8-15 mmHg) for mild leg swelling and discomfort
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Category 2: Mild to moderate compression (20–30 mmHg) to improve blood flow in people who are prone to swelling
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Category 3: Firm compression (30-40 mmHg) to manage more severe leg symptoms or conditions such as varicose veins or lymphedema
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Category 4: Superfixed compression for advanced venous insufficiency or post-thrombosis syndrome (40–50 mmHg)
Medical grade compression socks
Medical grade refers to compression of at least 20 to 30 mmHg, Quaye said. These are best for people with severe venous insufficiency or a history of DVT and are usually prescribed by a doctor. Your provider will tell you what length and style (such as knee-high stockings or thigh-high stockings) based on your needs.
Medical grade compression sleeves and clothing
Compression sleeves and clothing provide more targeted compression for your arms or calves. If you have a specific injury or condition, such as lymphedema or blood clots on your arm, your doctor may advise a person, which increases the risk of blood clots.
Non-medical grade compression socks
Light pressure is perfect for everyday wear, especially if you sit or sit when you are working or traveling for a long time. It may also help improve pregnancy-related leg swelling, according to a pilot study on prenatal insufficiency in the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphobic Diseases.
Intermittent pneumatic compression equipment (IPCD)
If you have a DVT, your doctor may recommend using an intermittent pneumatic compression device. These devices use cuffs to wrap the legs around the legs and inflate them with air to mimic the natural muscle contraction of walking. While some IPCDs are reserved for hospitals or medical offices, there are options for home use. However, most require effective prescriptions from your doctor.
Meet the experts
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Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Partner and Houston Methodist Methodist Dr. Joseph Naum, Ph.D., Endvascular and Vascular Surgeon
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John Shao, PhD, PhD, interventional cardiologist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and RWJBARNABAS HEALTH Medical Team
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Cardiac thoracic surgeon and vascular surgeon in Austin, Texas, Dr. Kofi Quaye, MD, Board Certified Vascular Surgeon
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical expert for your health issues.
