Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT symptoms live in one leg - and the most important thing to know is that the leg symptoms are the warning, while the lung symptoms are the emergency.

The leg: warning signs of DVT

• Swelling of ONE leg - calf or whole leg; compare with the other side
• Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh, often starting as a cramp-like ache that does not settle
• Warmth over the swollen area
• Reddish or bluish skin discolouration
• Visible, distended surface veins
• Pain that worsens on walking or touching the calf

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all - up to half of DVTs are relatively quiet. Risk situation plus one-sided swelling is reason enough to act.

What to do with these signs

One-sided leg swelling or a persistent unexplained calf ache = same-day medical assessment. The diagnosis is quick - a blood test (D-dimer) and a painless ultrasound of the leg veins. Do not massage or rub the leg while waiting.

The lungs: signs of pulmonary embolism - call 112

• Sudden breathlessness at rest
• Sharp chest pain that worsens with a deep breath
• Rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting
• Coughing up blood

Any of these, especially with a swollen leg or a recent risk situation (surgery, flight, delivery), is an ambulance emergency - PE can kill quickly, and early treatment saves lives.

After treatment: symptoms to expect

Even after the clot resolves, some leg heaviness and swelling can persist for months - post-thrombotic symptoms, managed with stockings and walking, and worth reporting rather than enduring silently.

One-line summary

One-sided leg swelling, calf pain, warmth and redness mean a same-day ultrasound; sudden breathlessness, chest pain on deep breathing, fainting or blood in sputum mean 112 - the leg is the warning, the lung is the emergency.