Blood moves slowly through the veins, and clots can form in the veins if it doesn’t move fast enough. Clots in the deep veins are called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a complication that can lead to a severe condition called pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when part of a blood clot breaks loose and travels through the blood vessels to the lungs. The clot blocks the main blood flow to the lungs, which starves the lungs of oxygen and causes them to be painful or swollen. PE can be life-threatening and often happens in the legs, but it can also happen in other parts of the body. When DVT and PE occur together, they are called venous thromboembolism (VTE).

DVT can be caused by anything that slows blood flow through the deep veins in the legs. This can include a severe injury, surgery, or prolonged sitting or lying on a bed for an extended time. People with a chronic illness, such as cancer or a chronic disease affecting the blood vessels and circulation, are also at higher risk for developing a DVT.

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Blood clots can be very dangerous, and the first sign of DVT is usually that one leg becomes swollen and red and feels tender to the touch. You may also have pain in the clot area, and the skin near the clot may appear bruised or red. DVT can be diagnosed by a doctor who takes a history of your symptoms and does an exam. Your doctor will listen to your lungs and heart, and they may order an ultrasound test of your veins to see if they are clogged with a blood clot (duplex ultrasound).

If DVT is diagnosed, you might need a particular type of medicine, called clot-dissolving medicines or thrombolytics, to break up the clot. You might also need to take medicine long-term to prevent more clots from forming. These are called anticoagulant medicines; examples are warfarin, heparin, or apixaban.

The most common complication of DVT is that part of the clot breaks off from the vein and travels through the blood vessels to the pulmonary artery in the lungs. This is a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE can be life-threatening, and you must seek immediate medical help if you have this complication.

Another complication of DVT is damage to the valves in the vein. This can cause pain and swelling in the affected leg, leading to long-term problems like a chronic ulcer or leg vein varicose. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk for DVT and the risks of PE, especially if you have had an episode of VTE or are at high risk for it. You can decide the best way to prevent DVT and PE together. Getting treatment early can help you feel better and live longer.