Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Condition overview
Help for this potentially serious blood clot in the leg

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating deep vein thrombosis. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points for people with deep vein thrombosis
  • If you have deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot has formed in one of your deep veins, most likely in your leg.
  • The most obvious symptoms of DVT are swelling or pain in the calf or thigh of one leg.
  • If part of a blood clot in your leg breaks off, it can travel through your heart and get stuck in an artery in one of your lungs.
  • Medicines treat deep vein thrombosis and reduce your risk of having another blood clot.
  • Exercises and other measures such as special support stockings might help prevent DVT.
You're more likely to get DVT if you are older, smoke, have cancer, are pregnant, sit or lie for long periods without moving much, have an operation on your leg, or have a problem with blood clotting. If you get a blood clot that has traveled to the artery of a lung you can feel breathless and dizzy, have chest pains, cough up blood, and feel your heart racing.

To find out if you have DVT, your doctor will want to know about your symptoms as well as your health in general. Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for DVT is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.