When a person is said to have deep vein thrombosis or DVT, it means that they have a blood clot inside a deep vein, which mostly occurs in one’s leg. Usually, a blood clot may heal by compression, but if this or any other treatment is ineffective, the blood clot can end up breaking away from the lump in the leg and traveling upward to the heart, which can lead to serious complications. One can avoid this situation early by looking for the following telltale symptoms of DVT and seeking treatment immediately.

1. Swelling
Usually, when one has DVT, the affected area will swell up because there’s an obstruction in the smooth flow of blood. The swelling may increase to an abnormal amount as more fluid gets clotted gradually. Most people will experience clotting only in a single limb, which is why the swelling up of a single leg or arm is considered a symptom of DVT.

2. Pain in the Affected Limb
Along with swelling, DVT is also associated with pain in the affected area. So if one experiences pain in the legs or hands, it shouldn’t be ignored as it can indicate the presence of a clot. It can be a mild ache or turn into an excruciating pain if clots form in several deep veins of the body. The pain indicates that the tissues are receiving little blood and require treatment to function well.

3. Tender Skin
The area affected by DVT may turn tender and warm. It may also turn red or pink as it usually does in a blood clot. Check for areas on the leg for tender skin that is warmer than surrounding skin. If many spots appear red and tender, it’s better to get it checked by a doctor as it may indicate several blood clots.

4. Unbearable Chest Pain
If the blood clot becomes dislodged, it can travel upwards to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), a condition that occurs when a clot gets settled in an artery of the lung. It will lead to chest pain that is burning, unbearable, or dull, and can get worse as one coughs, eats, or takes more deep breaths. If there’s any prolonged ache in the chest, along with the symptoms mentioned above, there’s a good chance of the presence of DVT.

5. Breathing Difficulties
During DVT, when the blood clot travels to the lungs it can obstruct airflow and make it difficult to breathe. So falling short of breath is often considered a telltale symptom of DVT. This condition may contribute to chest pain too. Try taking deep breaths and monitor if the body is facing trouble breathing. If there’s discomfort in the chest, accompanied by an inability to breathe well, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.