10 Warning Signs of a Blood Clot in the Leg
A blood clot in a deep vein is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It can be dangerous because part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Many DVTs don’t cause obvious symptoms, so symptoms alone cannot rule one out.
10 possible warning signs
Swelling in one leg — especially when the other leg isn’t swollen.
Pain or tenderness — often in the calf or thigh.
Warmth — the affected area may feel warmer than the other leg.
Red or discolored skin — particularly around the painful area.
A feeling of heaviness or fullness in the leg.
Tight or stretched skin caused by swelling.
Pain that becomes worse when standing or walking.
Tenderness along a vein.
Sudden unexplained swelling or discomfort after prolonged immobility, travel, surgery, or illness.
Symptoms affecting primarily one leg rather than both.
These symptoms can also have many other causes, including muscle injuries and infections, so you cannot diagnose a DVT from symptoms alone. Medical evaluation and, when appropriate, an ultrasound are used to diagnose it.
🚨 Know the emergency signs
If you have possible DVT symptoms plus sudden shortness of breath, chest pain (especially when breathing in), coughing up blood, fainting, or a very rapid heartbeat, seek emergency medical care immediately. These can be signs of a pulmonary embolism.
Don’t massage a leg that you suspect may have a blood clot, and don’t wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking medical advice.
