Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms, Risk Factors & Testing

Blood clots that form within your body result in deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Though DVT can develop anywhere within your body, most DVT blood clots form within your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause serious complications, including embolisms. Embolisms manifest when a clot breaks free and lodges within your lungs, brain or other areas of your body. Certain risk factors, such as sitting for too long, prolonged bed rest and pregnancy can potentially lead to the development of DVT.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a d-Dimer blood test which can be arranged through your doctor. This test is a type of fibrous, protein fragment, which develops when your body forms a clot and activates your body's response to try to dissolve the clot.

• 2

  Undergo an ultrasound, which can detect whether you have a deep vein thrombosis. Your doctor may conduct several ultrasounds for many days to ensure that the clot hasn't grown or that you're not developing anymore clots, indicates the Mayo Clinic.

• 3

  An MRI can search for potential problems.

  Get an MRI to allow your doctor to look at detailed images of your body. An MRI can identify where a deep vein thrombosis is in your body.

• 4

  Submit to a venography if suggested by your doctor. Dyes injected into a vein in your leg can pinpoint where a clot has formed.