Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Deep vein thrombosis in the leg

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. One leg may become swollen, painful, warm or discoloured. Part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg. One leg may become swollen, painful, warm or discoloured. Part of the clot can travel to the lungs and cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

  • New swelling of one leg, sometimes mainly the lower leg but possibly the whole leg.
  • Pain or a heavy, tight feeling in the calf, behind the knee, thigh or groin.
  • Take anticoagulants at regular times and follow advice for a missed dose; never double a dose on your own initiative.
  • Move as advised by your treatment team and avoid prolonged sitting, but do not massage or knead the painful leg.
  • Call the same day for new one-sided swelling, warmth, pain or colour change in a leg.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
C
Calf painCalf pain is often caused by muscle cramp or injury, but a painful, swollen, warm calf may indicate deep vein thrombosis. New breathlessness, chest pain or fainting may indicate a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate help.
P
Pulmonary embolismA pulmonary embolism is a blood clot lodged in a lung blood vessel. It can cause sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing or a fast heartbeat. Signs of a leg thrombosis, such as pain or swelling in one leg, may also be present. A severe pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. If suspected while you are stable, call your GP the same day or HAP 9252 outside office hours. For severe breathlessness, chest pain with collapse or fainting, call Ambulance 912 immediately.
T
ThrombosisThrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. A clot in a vein can cause, for example, deep vein thrombosis in the leg or a pulmonary embolism; a clot in an artery can cause a heart attack, stroke or acute blockage in an arm or leg. Symptoms and urgency depend on the location.