A ‘large number’ of blood clot patients report the same problem within ‘weeks’ or ‘months’

In many cases, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) goes unnoticed and dissolves on its own, but some blood clots linger and cause further complications. A common issue is pulmonary embolism, which happens when the clot travels to the lungs and quells blood flow. In a great number of cases, however, patients are affected by another condition known as postphlebitic syndrome.…CONTINUE READING

In deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot forms in the thighs, calf or pelvis, causing a host of symptoms like swelling and tenderness.

Unfortunately, many cases go amiss due to a lack of obvious symptoms, leaving clots to be dissolved naturally or linger undetected.

Though it is possible to recover from DVT without significant problems or long-term adverse effects, issues can arise months or years after the clot has formed.

Conditions like postphlebitic syndrome, for instance, occur when DVT has caused venous insufficiency.

Cedars Senior explains: “The veins in your legs have tiny valves that help keep blood moving back up towards the heart.

“But a DVT may damage one or more of these valves. This causes them to weaken or become leaky. When this happens, blood starts to pool in your legs.”

The health body continues: “Post-thrombotic syndrome affects a large number of people who have had DVT. It can happen in men and women of any age.

“The condition can cause chronic pain, swelling and other symptoms in your leg. It may develop in the weeks or months following a DVT.”

This risk, however, is only present in the first few days the clot is formed, while it is still fragile.

The medical journal Circulation states: “Patients who carry out normal activities after a clot are no more likely to develop PE than those who won’t walk around.

“Thus, being physically active after a clot is generally fine and is typically encouraged.”

Exercise is widely recommended to prevent a blood clot from forming in the first place, as stagnant blood flow creates an ideal environment for clots to form.