What are the symptoms of a blood clot in your leg?

Symptoms of DVT in the leg are:
  • throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh.
  • swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
  • warm skin around the painful area.
  • red or darkened skin around the painful area.
  • swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What does it feel like when you have a blood clot in your leg?

A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


How do you check for blood clots in legs at home?

This evaluation, known as Homan's Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there's deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thekimmelinstitute.com


What are the 10 signs of a blood clot in your leg?

Arms, Legs
  • Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
  • Change in color. You might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge, or gets itchy.
  • Pain. ...
  • Warm skin. ...
  • Trouble breathing. ...
  • Lower leg cramp. ...
  • Pitting edema. ...
  • Swollen, painful veins.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What to do if you think you have a blood clot in the leg?

If you think you have a blood clot, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away! Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ahrq.gov


What does a blood clot in the leg feel like?



What are the first signs of a blood clot?

Symptoms of a blood clot include:
  • throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm.
  • sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


Does a blood clot in the leg hurt constantly?

Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on share.upmc.com


What are the 5 warning signs of a blood clot?

A great way to remember the signs of a blood clot is by using the acronym STOP (the) CLOT.
  • Swelling in the leg or arm.
  • Tenderness or cramps in the leg.
  • Out of breath, or shortness of breath.
  • Passing out or feeling lightheaded.
  • Chest pain or back pain when breathing.
  • Leg discoloration, either a red or blue hue.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.umms.org


Can a blood clot in leg go away on its own?

Though the clots associated with DVT often dissolve on their own, some diagnosed with DVT may need treatment to avoid serious and fatal complications such as pulmonary embolism. Blood-thinning medications help break up the clots, but surgery may be needed to restore healthy circulation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on surgery.wustl.edu


Can a blood clot in leg just go away?

Most patients with DVT or PE recover completely within several weeks to months without significant complications or long-term adverse effects. However, long-term problems can occur, with symptoms ranging from very mild to more severe.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ahajournals.org


Where are blood clots usually located in the leg?

DVT usually occurs in a deep leg vein, a larger vein that runs through the muscles of the calf and the thigh. It can also occur in the pelvis or abdomen. It can cause pain and swelling in the leg and may lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhsinform.scot


When should I be worried about leg pain?

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have:

A leg that is swollen, pale or unusually cool. Calf pain, particularly after prolonged sitting, such as on a long car trip or plane ride. Swelling in both legs along with breathing problems. Any serious leg symptoms that develop for no apparent reason.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


Is walking good for blood clots?

The Importance of Exercise if You Have DVT

Studies show that exercise also can improve symptoms of DVT, including swelling, discomfort, and redness. Physical activity can also make you feel more energized. If you have DVT, being active is especially important for your legs. That's where blood clots usually form.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


Are there warning signs before a blood clot?

Swelling, usually in one leg (or arm) Leg pain or tenderness often described as a cramp or Charley horse. Reddish or bluish skin discoloration. Leg (or arm) warm to touch.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on stoptheclot.org


Should I take aspirin if I think I have a blood clot?

If you visit a vein clinic or hospital for a blood clot and blood thinners are suggested to you, taking aspirin may be an option, instead. It is not for everyone, and will not be enough in all cases, but it does have a similar effect and may work well to reduce the chances of another blood clot in the future.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nashvilleveincenter.com


When should you go to the ER for a blood clot in your leg?

Apart from swelling, another sign that you should visit an ER for a blood clot is if you develop discomfort as well as pain and tenderness in one or both legs. This should be taken seriously even if the pain only manifests when you stand or walk, as it is usually another telltale sign of DVT.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on frontlineer.com


How long can a blood clot go untreated in leg?

It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on familydoctor.org


Should I go to hospital for blood clot in leg?

If you suspect that you have a blood clot or experience any of the signs and symptoms, you should consider going to the ED. Signs of DVT include: Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. Discomfort, heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thrombosis.org


What are the 3 stages of a blood clot?

1) Constriction of the blood vessel. 2) Formation of a temporary “platelet plug." 3) Activation of the coagulation cascade.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


Can you tell at home if you have a blood clot?

DVT Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Changes in the color of the affected leg - typically to a blue or purple shade. A warm feeling of the skin on the affected limb. Leg tenderness or pain. Tired or restless leg that doesn't appear to go away.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mintstl.com


Do blood clots go away on their own?

Typically, your body will naturally dissolve the blood clot after the injury has healed. Sometimes, however, clots form on the inside of vessels without an obvious injury or do not dissolve naturally. These situations can be dangerous and require accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hematology.org


How can you tell the difference between a blood clot and leg pain?

Timing: DVT symptoms are usually subtle at the start and then gradually increase over days. Cramps are the opposite. They typically start suddenly and feel severe but go away just as quickly and last only seconds to minutes. Cramps also most commonly occur in the middle of the night.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com


What happens if you ignore a blood clot in your leg?

You should never ignore DVT. As with any medical condition, complications can develop when you have DVT. One in 10 develop a pulmonary embolism (PE), which happens when a clot in the leg works loose, moving through the bloodstream to the arteries in the lungs.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on premierveinandvascular.org


How do doctors check for blood clots?

Duplex ultrasonography is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the flow of blood in the veins. It can detect blockages or blood clots in the deep veins. It is the standard imaging test to diagnose DVT. A D-dimer blood test measures a substance in the blood that is released when a clot breaks up.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov


What causes blood clot in leg?

Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Being sedentary due to bed rest or sitting too long without moving, such as during travel. Family history of blood clots. Having a long-term (indwelling) catheter, a tube in a blood vessel. Obesity.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pennmedicine.org
Next question
Can you permanently cure gout?