Blood clots, especially in deep-lying veins, mostly occur when a blood vessel is damaged due to a surgical procedure or an injury. However, the chunks of blood may also result from something you have no control over, including cancer, an inflammatory disorder, or family history. Though medication can help dissolve the clots, the treatment might fail in some DVT patients, causing them to have long-term conditions like post-thrombotic syndrome. Deep vein thrombosis can be life-threatening, more so when the lumps obstruct a blood vessel. Thanks to El Paso deep vein thrombosis experts at the i-VASCULAR center, managing the condition is now easy.
How can you live with DVT comfortably?
Starting treatment immediately after DVT diagnosis is very crucial. Blood clots take approximately 6 months to dissolve. Your healthcare provider might suggest a few things to do to enhance your symptoms. For instance, the medical professional will advise you to elevate your legs or wear compression stockings to minimize pain and leg swelling. The elevation minimizes pressure in your calf veins, lowering the chances of blood pooling in the calves. For people living with DVT, it is necessary to:
- Have regular appointments and blood tests for evaluation
- Increase intake of vitamin K-rich foods like green leafy vegetables
- Stay active. Unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise, staying active might help minimize your risk of developing a deep vein clot. For instance, walking may help with blood circulation in your legs.
- Have light walks after around 2 hours when traveling long distances. Your vein specialist may also advise you to engage your calf muscles in little exercises, such as alternating lifting your calf and toes or circling your ankles. The stretches help strengthen the calf muscles, enhancing your blood flow.
- Shed off excess weight, especially if you are overweight
- Control blood pressure
What happens when blood clots fail to dissolve?
While some people need a few months for blood clots to dissolve, the clots might fail to dilute in some DVT patients. In such instances, the patient might have scar tissue in the veins. Persistent DVT may also result in post-thrombotic syndrome, causing chronic leg swelling. Your doctor might advise you to seek professional help immediately when you have DVT and showcase symptoms like:
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Coughing blood
- Shortness of breath
These signs indicate that the clot might have disintegrated and moved to your lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
What should you expect after DVT?
DVT symptoms may resolve within weeks or months of treatment. Recovering from the condition that mainly occurs in a prominent vein in your legs may leave you worried about how the healing might change your lifestyle or whether the lump might reappear. However, learning about the ailment and following your doctor’s advice might help you feel in charge.
Though DVT is life-threatening, especially when the clot moves to your bloodstream, your doctor may recommend medication to dissolve the clots, allowing you to live a worry-free life. Consult your doctor for further information about DVT to understand the condition and how to manage it.
