Explore Deep Vein Thrombosis

Living With Deep Vein Thrombosis

If you've had a deep vein blood clot, you're at greater risk for another one. During treatment and after:

Take steps to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). (For more information, go to "How Can Deep Vein Thrombosis Be Prevented?")
Check your legs for signs of DVT. These include swollen areas, pain or tenderness, increased warmth in swollen or painful areas, or red or discolored skin on the legs.
Contact your doctor right away if you have signs or symptoms of DVT.

Ongoing Health Care Needs

DVT often is treated with blood-thinning medicines. These medicines can thin your blood too much and cause bleeding (sometimes inside the body). This side effect can be life threatening.

Bleeding can occur in the digestive system or the brain. Signs and symptoms of bleeding in the digestive system include:

Bright red vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Bright red blood in your stools or black, tarry stools
Pain in your abdomen

Signs and symptoms of bleeding in the brain include:

Severe pain in your head
Sudden changes in your vision
Sudden loss of movement in your arms or legs
Memory loss or confusion

If you have any of these signs or symptoms, seek medical care right away. If you have a lot of bleeding after a fall or injury, call 9–1–1. This could be a sign that your DVT medicines have thinned your blood too much.

You might want to wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that states you're at risk of bleeding. If you're injured, the ID will alert medical personnel of your condition.

Talk with your doctor before taking any medicines other than your DVT medicines. This includes over-the-counter medicines. Aspirin, for example, also can thin your blood. Taking two medicines that thin your blood may raise your risk of bleeding.

Ask your doctor about how your diet affects these medicines. Foods that contain vitamin K can change how warfarin (a blood-thinning medicine) works. Vitamin K is found in green, leafy vegetables and some oils, like canola and soybean oils. Your doctor can help you plan a balanced and healthy diet.

Discuss with your doctor whether drinking alcohol will interfere with your medicines. Your doctor can tell you what amount of alcohol is safe for you.

WAS THIS HELPFUL?

Deep Vein Thrombosis Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. To find clinical trials that are currently underway for Deep Vein Thrombosis, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

October 28, 2011

The NHLBI updates Health Topics articles on a biennial cycle based on a thorough review of research findings and new literature. The articles also are updated as needed if important new research is published. The date on each Health Topics article reflects when the content was originally posted or last revised.

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