The primary veins in your body work to return blood from your extremities back to your heart and lungs. The circulation of blood throughout your body delivers essential nutrients and ensures vital functions. That's why it's so important for your circulation to continue unimpeded.
Blood clots that form in your veins can block the healthy flow of blood back from your extremities. We call a blood clot in one of your primary veins deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You're most likely to develop DVT in your legs, but the condition can appear in your arms as well.
DVT carries potentially fatal risks and should be medically evaluated by a professional as soon as possible. If you're concerned about a potential DVT, the experienced care team at Total Vascular Care led by vascular and endovascular surgeon Enrico Ascher, MD, are here to help. Here's what Dr. Ascher wants his new and existing patients in Brooklyn, New York, to know about the symptoms and risks of DVT.
The first symptom of a DVT to watch out for is pain. DVT pain often initially presents as a cramping sensation in your calf. If your DVT is located in your leg, you may also notice that your pain levels increase when you stand up or move around.
As your blood circulation stagnates due to a DVT, you may notice swelling in the affected arm or leg. More rarely, multiple limbs can become affected by swelling, not just the limb immediately impacted by the DVT.
A DVT can also cause discoloration in the affected limb. A DVT can at times make your extremity appear red or blue, due to the accumulation of uncirculated blood in the limb.
As your limb struggles to cope with reduced or blocked blood flow, you may start to experience tenderness or a feeling of unusual warmth in the affected area.
Even if you don't have any of these symptoms, you could still be at risk of developing a DVT. Almost half of all patients with DVT don't show any symptoms. Regular medical checkups can help to catch an asymptomatic DVT. If you have an elevated risk of DVT, talk to Dr. Ascher about ways to screen for this condition.
If you suspect you might have DVT, get Dr. Ascher's opinion of your circulatory and vascular health. He can help you prevent the serious complications of DVT, including a potential pulmonary embolism, a clot breaking away from its blockage position to travel to your heart and lungs, that could prove fatal. If you have symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, seek emergency medical care right away.
To get started diagnosing and treating your potential DVT, contact Total Vascular Care today. You can book your consultation appointment with Dr. Ascher by calling over the phone, or with the online tool.
