The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in your body, typically in your leg.
Our consultants diagnose and treat a range of vascular conditions including DVT.
- Appointment confirmed with a DVT specialist within 24 hours
- Rapid access to tests and DVT treatment, if needed
- Ranked no.1 for private cardiovascular care, treating over 25,000 people each year
- 99% of cardiovascular patients would recommend us to friends and family
What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
The most common signs and symptoms of DVT (typically a blood clot in your leg) are:
- Pain and swelling (mostly experienced in the calf)
- Skin that's hot to the touch or has changed colour
- Swollen veins that are hard or sore to the touch
It can also occur without any noticeable symptoms.
When to see a doctor
If you think you have DVT, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact 111. We offer same-day or next-day GP appointments for peace of mind. If you’ve already seen a GP, you can request a referral from your GP or insurer to one of our cardiovascular specialists.
When to call emergency services
Left untreated, DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition where a blood clot travels through the bloodstream to your lungs and causes a blockage. This can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment.
Call emergency services on 999 or go to A&E if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Light-headedness, dizziness and fainting
- A rapid pulse and/or breathing
- Coughing up blood
Effective and fast private DVT treatment
- #1 in private cardiovascular care: More patients trust us with their vascular care and treatment than any other private provider, with 99% saying they would recommend us to friends and family.
- Rapid access to tests: If you notice signs of a blood clot or DVT in your leg or elsewhere, we can confirm an appointment with a vascular specialist within 24 hours. You can undergo tests on the same day and receive results within 48 hours for peace of mind.
- Full treatment options: If you need treatment for DVT, we'll recommend the most effective options for you and arrange them swiftly within our private network. We provide every aspect of DVT care.
- Leading consultants and subspecialist teams: Our vascular specialists are leaders in their field. They're supported by subspeciality multi-disciplinary teams to provide the holistic, joined-up care you need.
- Exceptional facilities and technology: We continually invest in our private facilities to offer the best possible environment for your care, with five cardiac hospitals and 15 outpatient centres providing the latest tests and treatments.
What is deep vein thrombosis?
DVT occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) usually develops in a deep vein that runs through the muscles of your thigh and calf or in your pelvis or arm. Each year DVT occurs in around 60,000 people in the UK.
Blood clots can occur due to injury to your veins or sluggish blood flow. As a result, blood vessels become partially or fully blocked, which can make your limb swollen and painful.
DVT can develop due to a range of medical conditions as well as a lack of movement over time. If left untreated, part of the blood clot can break off and enter your bloodstream, potentially leading to a pulmonary embolism which requires urgent treatment.
Specialists in DVT diagnosis, treatment and management
We're the UK's leading private healthcare provider for vascular conditions including DVT. If you have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg or elsewhere, or have already received a diagnosis, we can swiftly provide the most appropriate care through our high-quality private network.
What are the causes of DVT?
DVT is caused by anything that stops your blood from flowing or clotting normally. Risk factors include:
- Being inactive for long periods, for example when travelling long distances or due to surgery, illness or injury, as muscle contractions help blood flow
- Being over the age of 40 (though it can occur at any age)
- Injury to your veins or surgery
- Having a personal or family history of blood clots or DVT
- Having certain conditions or treatments, such as cancer and chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Heart failure, varicose veins, or inflammatory bowel disease may also increase your risk of blood clots
- Being pregnant or having recently given birth, increasing pressure on veins in the pelvis and legs
- Being overweight or obese, which also increases pressure on your veins
- Smoking
- Taking the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Sometimes blood clots can occur in deep veins with no clear risk factor.
How is DVT diagnosed?
Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you and may recommend the following deep vein thrombosis tests to establish a diagnosis:
- D-dimer blood test: This is a quick and relatively non-invasive blood test to measure a substance released in the blood when a clot breaks down. A negative result can rule out DVT, while a positive result needs more investigation.
- Duplex ultrasound: A deep vein thrombosis ultrasound is a common, reliable imaging test used to diagnose DVT. It uses sound waves to create a picture of your veins and assess blood flow. If there’s a clot, blood flow will be disrupted or absent in the affected area.
- CT angiography (CTA): This combines a CT scan with an injection of contrast dye to create detailed, cross-sectional images of your blood vessels. It’s especially helpful for diagnosing DVT in unusual locations or when ultrasound results are inconclusive.
- Venogram: This is an X-ray using contrast dye injected directly into you vein. While highly accurate, it's a more invasive procedure that’s typically only used when other tests are inconclusive, or when planning specific interventions.
Get an accurate DVT diagnosis quickly
If you have symptoms of DVT or concerns about your risk, you can have an appointment with one of our vascular specialists confirmed within 24 hours. We offer the most comprehensive private cardiovascular diagnostics network in the UK, with access to private DVT scans and tests on the day of your appointment and results sent within two days.
Treatment of DVT
Deep vein thrombosis treatment aims to stop any clot from getting bigger or breaking loose and becoming a pulmonary embolism. It can also reduce the risk of developing further DVT.
Treatment for a blood clot in your leg or elsewhere may include one or a combination of medication, compression stockings or surgery. Your treatment options will depend on the extent of your condition, whether any blood clots are loose in your bloodstream and your overall health.
Deep vein thrombosis medication
DVT blood clot treatment typically begins with medication depending on how advanced your condition is. You may be given anticoagulant medicines, which will thin your blood and make it less likely to develop clots.
You either take them as tablets or receive them via injections. Your consultant will discuss the different DVT medications such as warfarin and heparin, or newer medications with fewer side effects, and recommend the most suitable type for you.
If these options don't prove effective, or if your condition is more serious, you may be given medications known as clot busters. You receive these through a small tube called a catheter which is inserted directly into the clot.
If you have a pulmonary embolism, you'll be given anticoagulant medicine injections for up to five days. You'll then need to take anticoagulant tablets for at least three months afterwards.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are a non-invasive at-home treatment for DVT. They help stop blood from pooling in your legs and reduce swelling. You may be recommended to wear them for a couple of years where possible, though not overnight.
Deep vein thrombosis procedures
Minimally invasive procedures
- Catheter-directed thrombolysis: This procedure involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into a vein and injecting clot-busting medication directly at the clotted area. This approach may be used for specific cases where traditional clot-busting medications aren’t suitable.
- Mechanical thrombectomy: A catheter is inserted to reach the clot, and a device is used to remove it physically. This approach may be considered for large clots or when thrombolysis is not an option.
Deep vein thrombosis surgery
Surgery for a blood clot in your leg is typically a last resort but can still be effective.
- Surgical thrombectomy: In rare cases, surgery might be necessary to remove a large clot if other methods aren’t suitable. This typically involves making an incision to access the clot and remove it directly.
- Vena cava filter placement: If you’re at high risk of blood clots but can’t take blood thinners, a small filter may be inserted into a large vein (vena cava) in your abdomen to trap blood clots and stop them from travelling to your lungs.
Choosing the most effective treatment for you
If you receive a DVT diagnosis, your consultant will review and recommend the most effective treatment for you without delay. We care for over 25,000 cardiovascular patients each year, and our unrivalled experience helps us achieve better outcomes for every individual.
Can I prevent DVT?
There are things you can do to lower your risk of developing DVT symptoms such as:
- Avoiding sitting or laying still for long periods of time or crossing your legs while sitting
- Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active
- Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Taking medications and wearing compression stockings as advised by your consultant
Your consultant will discuss the most relevant strategies for you, which may also include taking precautions when travelling and going to hospital for treatment.
DVT complications
If left untreated, potential complications include:
- Pulmonary embolism: A life-threatening condition which occurs when a blood clot that's formed in your leg or elsewhere breaks loose and travels to your lungs. Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain and rapid breathing. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience them.
- Post-thrombotic syndrome: Damage to your veins from a blood clot can reduce blood flow to the area, causing symptoms such as pain, swelling and skin colour changes.
If you're recommended to take deep vein thrombosis medication to thin your blood, it's possible to experience excess bleeding as a side effect. Your consultant will assess this risk and advise on how to manage it, which may include having regular blood tests while taking the medication.
Our DVT locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
Paying for private DVT treatment
You have several options for paying for your treatment, including through self-pay or private medical insurance. If using the latter, you can mention us to your insurer as the #1 provider for cardiovascular care, as well as your chosen consultant if you have one. We'll provide a clear quote for the cost of your private DVT scan or other tests or treatments, so you know what to expect before going ahead.
Book an appointment for DVT diagnosis or treatment
If you have symptoms of deep vein thrombosis in your legs or elsewhere or you've received a DVT diagnosis and would like to discuss treatment, our team can help.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.