Symptoms of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Many patients do not experience any symptoms when they have a DVT.  When symptoms occur, they usually affect just one leg or arm and the most common symptoms are:

• pain in the leg or arm, leg pain may only be present upon walking
• tenderness to the calf which extends up the thigh and into the groin
• swelling and or redness of affected area

Symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolism

The warning signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include:

• Sharp chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Feeling faint, light headed or anxious
• Cough with or without foamy pink sputum

Risk Factors:

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is common in several different situations:
· Pregnancy
· Chronically bedridden or wheelchair bound
· Elderly patients
· Immediate post operative patients
· Females using birth control pills
· Patients with a history of prior deep venous thrombosis
· Long periods of immobility (sitting in a plane seat for a prolonged time)