Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

The formation of a clot in a deep of the leg or lower . Symptoms may include pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected area. Also called DVT.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep thrombosis (throm-BO-sis), or DVT, is a clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Blood clots occur when blood thickens and clumps together.

Most deep clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. They also can occur in other parts of the body.

A clot in a deep can break off and travel through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus (EM-bo-lus). It can travel to an in the and block blood flow. This condition is called (PULL-mun-ary EM-bo-lizm), or PE.

PE is a very serious condition. It can damage the and other in the body and cause death.

clots in the thighs are more likely to break off and cause PE than blood clots in the lower legs or other parts of the body. Blood clots also can form in closer to the ‘s surface. However, these clots won’t break off and cause PE.

The animation below…