Thrombosis Awareness
Thrombosis is a condition that remains a major cause of death throughout the UK. Unfortunately, many people have little or no understanding of the condition in terms of causes, effects, and prevention. It is a condition where blood clots form. These can either occur in the lower leg, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or small parts of the clot can break off, travel to the lungs, and become increasingly life threatening. This is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Ultrasound Care understand that, in particular, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can be uncomfortable and cause redness and swelling, more often than not in the lower legs. This is why we offer a DVT ultrasound scan for men and women, helping to ensure that if you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, you can be seen quickly and receive the required treatment as soon as possible.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Deep Vein Thrombosis is when a blood clot has formed in the veins of the lower leg. For clarity, a blood clot is thickened blood that has clumped together and can sometimes leave a firm lump on the skin.
Although DVT is most common in lower legs, it can occur anywhere in the body. It is however a difficult condition to diagnose due to few or no outward symptoms. If you have experienced symptoms, they may have included:
- Redness of the skin (particularly on the back of the leg of knee)
- Warm to the touch skin in the area of the clot
- Swelling and tenderness in the area of the clot
- A heavy aching feeling
- Pain when your foot is lifted towards the knee
If you have noticed any of these symptoms in one, or both (although rare) legs, it is important to get in touch with your GP or book a scan with your local Ultrasound Care clinic today!
Are You At Risk of DVT?
With a variety of medical conditions, you will often find that there are people more at risk than others. This is the same with DVT, with some people at higher risk that others. Some of the risk factors to consider include:
- Being on contraceptives containing estrogen (the pill, ring or patch)
- 6 weeks post pregnancy
- Long-term best rest or periods of inactivity
- Obesity
- History in your family of blood clots
- Cancer or cancer treatments
- Knee or Hip replacement therapy
- Vein injury possibly caused by a broken bone or severe muscle injury
- Major surgery of the pelvis, abdomen, knee, or hip
- Hospitalisation for surgery or illness
If you fit within any of these risk factor categories and you are concerned about the risk of DVT, get in touch with your GP today and book in for a private DVT ultrasound scan with Ultrasound Care today.
DVT Scans with Ultrasound Care
DVT can happen to both men and women at any time. It is important to be aware of the risks, signs and symptoms and cause of DVT to help try and reduce your risk of a clot.
If you have experienced any of these symptoms or have concerns about your personal circumstances having seen the associated risks, please contact your GP straight away. If you would like to give yourself some peace of mind, book a private DVT scan with your local Ultrasound Care clinic today.
Our DVT scans are available for those who are 16 years of age or above. We offer the option to have a unilateral (one leg) or bilateral (two legs) scan, helping reassure you as best we can. Following each scan, a detailed report is compiled by our team and sent through to your GP for further discussions.
You can visit us in Birmingham, Bromsgrove, or London.
