Vein Care Center

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

While a blood clot may take time to form in the leg, the symptoms usually come on suddenly once it reaches deep in the veins. When you do develop DVT, technically called deep vein thrombosis, you must receive treatment as soon as possible to avoid possibly fatal complications. Find an expert level of vein treatment at the Vein Care Center. With offices in New York City’s Financial District, Greenwich Village and Midtown Manhattan, and Upper East Side, they can diagnose and treat DVT before it turns deadly. In New Jersey, seek care from the Vein Care Center experts in Englewood Cliffs, Paramus, Cranford, Riverdale or East Brunswick. Call today for a consultation.

    What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition affecting the deeper veins in your body. This condition develops when a blood clot forms in one of the deeper veins, most commonly in the legs. DVT is part of a serious cardiovascular disease known as venous thromboembolism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10 to 30 percent of Americans diagnosed with venous thromboembolism in the legs suffer fatal complications.

    Veins transport blood from extremities back to the heart and lungs for oxygenation. The rapid flow of deoxygenated blood from the tissues to the heart completes the cycle of the body’s circulatory system. A blood clot not only restricts the uninterrupted flow of blood, but the clot can also break off and get stuck in the lungs, creating a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

    Deep Vein Thrombosis

    At the center vein restoration in New York City and Northern New Jersey, the top-rated vein doctors, led by Dr. Jonathan Arad diagnose and treat a wide variety of vein conditions, including DVT and:

    What Does Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Look Like?

    Visit the nearest Vein Care Center at the earliest opportunity if you start feeling symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. During your initial vein consultation, your vein specialist considers your symptoms, which may include:

    • Redness or discoloration of the skin in the blood clot area
    • A sensation of warmth around the site of the blood clot
    • Swelling in the affected arm or leg
    • Soreness and tenderness in the affected arm or leg

    If you’ve developed a pulmonary embolism, which is a much more dangerous condition, you may notice symptoms that include:

    • A faster heartbeat
    • Chest pains
    • Slow breathing
    • Dizziness
    • A dry cough
    • A sharp stabbing pain when you breathe

    What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

    DVT develops when there’s a blockage in one of the veins, which most often occurs in the legs. Any physical problem or disease that leads to blood clot formation is a potential cause of DVT. Common causes include:

    • Advancing age
    • Long durations of inactivity, such as sitting, driving or flying
    • An injury or trauma to the arm or leg
    • Damage to a vein during surgery
    • Inflammation in the vein caused by an infection
    • Overweight and obesity
    • Medications used in hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills

    Before treatment can start, your vein doctor analyzes your symptoms and medical history. You may be asked to undergo tests to identify the underlying cause of the DVT. A firm diagnosis forms the basis of a successful and individual treatment of DVT.

    Am I at Risk of DVT?

    While some risk factors are related to lifestyle factors, such as your weight or sports activities, other risks may be unavoidable. Common conditions that increase the risk of blood clotting in your deep veins include:

    • Pregnancy
    • Being obese or overweight
    • Cancer
    • Heart failure
    • Other medical conditions, such as kidney stones
    • Advancing age, over 65
    • A previous surgical procedure
    • A family history of blood clots

    If you fall into one or more of these categories and you notice DVT symptoms, you’re wise to schedule a consultation. As part of the interventional treatment plans at the Vein Care Center, your vein doctor discusses these risk factors to help you avoid a recurrence of the condition.

     

    "Overall, very satisfied with their work. I used to hide my legs because of the way they looked because they were covered with varicose veins but not anymore. I am not ashamed of my legs anymore.

    Lita R.

    How Is Deep Vein Thrombosis Treated?

    After you receive a diagnosis, your doctor determines the best treatment for DVT based on your symptoms, your age, any pre-existing medical conditions and other factors. Treatment goals include preventing recurrence of clots and preventing a pulmonary embolism. The doctors at the Vein Care Center always begin with the least invasive treatment options for deep vein thrombosis, which includes:

    • Embracing an active lifestyle and adding exercise to your routine to remove or reduce the risk of blood clots
    • Elevating your leg to improve blood flow through the veins
    • Taking medications, such as anticoagulants or blood thinners, to prevent new blood clots from forming and clot busters for serious cases of DVT
    • Wearing compression stockings, which are special socks that reduce swelling and lower the risk of clot development
    • Inserting blood filters in your vena cava to prevent any loose blood clot from flowing to your lungs and causing serious complications
    • Undergoing surgery, such as a venous thrombectomy for DVT to remove a blood clot in a deep vein

    Treatment of DVT at an early stage prevents a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism from moving to your lungs. Dr. Arad and the other vein specialists use individualized treatment for vein conditions. By utilizing advanced medical technology, the team achieves high rates of success. Contact the vein doctors at any of their Manhattan locations or locations in Bergen County, Morris County and Union County, New Jersey for effective DVT treatment.

    Page Updated on Aug 29, 2023 by Dr. Arad (Vein Doctor) of Vein Care Center