Symptoms and Complications
Inflammation in superficial or surface veins - such as those used to insert
IV lines in the arm or to draw blood - produces pain and discomfort but it isn't
considered serious. Blood clots that form in superficial veins rarely break
loose and travel in the blood to cause blockage (in places such as the lungs)
and complications.
While many people with deep venous thrombophlebitis (DVT) have no signs
or symptoms, the classic symptoms are:
- dilatation (widening) of the surface veins of the leg
- dull, aching tightness in the calf, especially with walking
- firm swelling
- increased local temperature (warmth)
- pain or tenderness
- redness
DVT is often less painful but can lead to serious complications. The
reason is that a blood clot that forms in deeper, larger veins (such as in the
legs) can often break free and become a traveling blood clot called an embolus.
The embolus can travel and lodge in the lung; this condition is called a pulmonary
embolism. This is a serious complication of DVT and only occurs if the veins
of the legs, abdomen and pelvis are affected.
Because a deep vein clot may not cause symptoms early on, the first sign may
be that the clot has broken loose and traveled to the lung. Symptoms of a pulmonary
or lung embolus are breathlessness, chest pain, and bloody sputum. If you have
any of these symptoms, you need to get emergency medical care right away.