Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention and Management in Melbourne

Introduction to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot formed in deep leg veins. DVT can potentially block a blood vessel or artery, leading to serious and even potentially fatal health effects. Luckily, early diagnosis through blood clot tests and targeted deep vein thrombosis treatment can go a long way in improving health outcomes for all patients. Learn more about DVT management and DVT treatment from the trusted Vein Care vein doctors in Melbourne.

Understanding Deep Vein Thrombosis

Patients with varicose veins are at higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, especially with factors such as prolonged sitting, surgery and certain medical conditions. Oftentimes, we see varicose vein patients develop superficial vein thrombosis (or blood clots), and in that case, there is up to a 20% chance that it extends to deeper veins in the leg. After deep vein thrombosis, there is as high as a 50% chance of developing leg blood clots, so it’s important to take this situation seriously.

What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis

Blood flow in the leg veins requires mechanical assistance since it works against gravity, flowing up rather than down. Contracting calf muscles and valves in the veins work to direct the flow of blood towards the heart. Anything that impedes this process can cause deep vein thrombosis, including:

• Injury and surgery
• Prolonged period of sitting or lying
• Coronary heart disease
• Blood clotting disorders
• Chronic heart failure
• Untreated varicose veins

Long-distance travel by air, road, or rail (e.g., longer than 8 to 10 hours) can also be associated with an increased risk of DVT symptoms in some susceptible people. Other risk factors include pregnancy, older age, hormone therapy, smoking cigarettes, and being overweight.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Symptoms

Deep vein thrombosis can sometimes be asymptomatic; however, the common symptoms and signs of DVT include:

• Pain and tenderness in your leg
• Swelling of the lower leg, ankle and foot
• Cramping pain in your leg that usually begins in your calf
• An area of skin turning red, pale or bluish in colour
• Severe, unexplained pain in your foot and ankle
• Pain when extending your foot
• An area of skin that feels warmer than surrounding areas

In some cases, DVT symptoms do not seem that noticeable or severe. If you ever have any concerns, it’s best to err on the side of caution and contact your medical professional right away.

How are Blood Clots Diagnosed?

To understand how blood clots are diagnosed, it’s important to note that deep vein thrombosis may be mistaken for other disorders such as lymphoedema and chronic venous disease. That’s why it’s important to have an accurate diagnosis and a doctor who accurately distinguishes DVT from other conditions.

DVT is diagnosed using a variety of tests including a blood test, vascular ultrasound, venous ultrasound, contrast venography, and other imaging tests like MRI and CT scans. From there, knowledgeable vein doctors come up with an individualised DVT management plan to suit each patient’s unique situation.

 Here’s a bit more on each method of DVT diagnosis to help you adequately prepare.

• Blood test: the D-dimer test measures a substance released in the blood when a clot breaks. If the test comes back negative, you most likely do not have a clot.
• Vascular ultrasound: for suspected DVT above the knee, ultrasound imaging captures when the sonographer cannot collapse or compress veins due to a clot. The absence of blood flow leads to a DVT diagnosis.
• Venous ultrasound: using soundwaves to produce images of leg veins, this is one of the most common ways to detect a blood clot in legs.
• Contrast venography: this procedure is more invasive than other methods, but it does lead to a highly accurate diagnosis of DVT, specifically blood clots in lower legs such as calf muscles.
• MRI/CT scans: these imaging scans are often used to visualise thrombosis in the superior or inferior vena cava (IVC) or other central veins. They may also be used to test for pulmonary embolism (PE) and related complications.

DVT Complications and Risks

As leaders in DVT treatment, Vein Care sees firsthand the impact this condition can have on overall health and well-being. After all, there are potential complications of untreated DVT, which may dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

The clot (thrombus) can destroy vein valves, resulting in post-thrombotic syndrome for nearly half of all patients with a large vein DVT. Post-thrombotic syndrome involves chronic leg aches and swelling, as well as skin changes leading to ulcers. This debilitating condition comes with a poor quality of life, which is why DVT prevention and early intervention are key.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Treatment

DVT treatment and blood clot treatments can include taking anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines to prevent further clotting or thrombolytic drugs, which are injected intravenously to break up clots. Effective anticoagulant therapy types for DVT treatment may include:

• Warfarin
• Unfractionated heparin (UFH)
• Dabigatran etexilate
• Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs)
• Rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban

In some rare cases, surgery may be required to remove a DVT clot. Thrombolytic therapy and surgical interventions for severe cases may assist with further DVT prevention in the future.

Part of the DVT treatment process also includes reducing risk factors such as quitting cigarettes or losing excess body fat, monitoring the stickiness of your blood using blood tests, and wearing compression stockings to prevent swelling. After all, a healthy lifestyle makes a big difference to overall DVT management.

Prevention Strategies

Understanding DVT causes and strategies to prevent DVT recurrence will go a long way in your journey to reduce risk factors. Studies show the role of compression therapy and lifestyle changes in effectively managing DVT risks, as regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight help reduce strain on the circulatory system.

In addition to the importance of physical activity, we also recommend the following prevention strategies:

• Early mobilisation to improve health outcomes
• Compression stockings to support blood flow
• Wear loose clothing and stay hydrated while traveling
• Avoid long periods of sitting still – stand up and take breaks during plane/car rides
• Try to follow a healthy diet with fibre-rich fruits and vegetables to help manage weight
• Monitor blood pressure with checks at least once a year
• Regularly elevate your legs while resting or recovering from medical procedures

DVT Patient Resources and Support

If you are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, rest assured you are not alone. Approximately 30,000 Australians are affected by harmful blood clots every year, and there are plenty of resources available, including support groups and ongoing care.

Whether you have questions about your initial diagnosis or need help managing DVT, Vein Care can help. Check out our free guide to varicose veins to learn more about managing problem veins and preventing DVT, or view our advanced venous disease gallery for more info. You are also welcome to contact our clinics for expert guidance and view our DVT blog posts to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Conclusion: DVT Management and Treatment Options

We hope this information gives you some peace of mind on how to handle deep vein thrombosis, from preventing this condition in the first place to getting early intervention and treatment when blood clots form in deep leg veins.

Here are a few final thoughts to keep in mind to protect you and your loved ones from the dangers of undetected and untreated DVT.

• Watch for painful swelling in one leg only, which is a common sign of DVT. You may benefit from non-surgical vein treatment or closer management of symptoms.
• If you suffer from persistent leg cramps and charley horses, it’s best to see a vein doctor for further testing. The sooner DVT is detected, the better.
• In the case of visibly hard veins that are uncomfortable and tender to touch, you will want to make an appointment with a leading vein doctor near you. DVT treatment often helps with swollen veins near the skin’s surface, as well as deeper leg veins.
• By embracing healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet, you can prevent DVT and other vein problems.

Discover Melbourne’s Leading Treatment for Blood Clots in Legs

Now that you know the answers to ‘how are blood clots diagnosed?’ and ‘how to get rid of blood clots?’, you may want to consider blood clot tests and deep vein thrombosis treatment with Vein Care. Our experts in DVT causes and blood clot treatment are here to help – call 1300 568 676 or get in touch online to schedule a consultation at one of our three Melbourne clinics.