What is a DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a common condition that can affect men and women and can present with pain in the calf, redness and swelling. Patients who have a deep vein thrombosis are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolus, i.e. the clot goes to the lungs and there is a very small risk of death. What is important is that if you have pain in the calf, swelling or redness, that you get medical attention early on. There are a number of factors that will predispose your likelihood of getting a deep vein thrombosis. It may be related to immobility following a surgical operation or hospital admission, a long-haul flight or a car journey. It may be some medication that you're taking such as the oral contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy or any other hormone related medication. There are a small number of people will also have an inherited blood disorder. The key investigations that are done with respect to treating a deep vein thrombosis are a blood test where you will get something called a D-dimer and an ultrasound examination of the veins in your legs or arm. Further short videos will talk to you about the management of these conditions.