Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in your body. DVT primarily affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh but can take place in other deep veins, such as in the pelvis and arms. Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT can occur suddenly (acute), resulting in an urgent or emergency. It is a chronic condition, with blood clots causing circulation problems gradually, usually in the lower body. Chronic blood clots can result in venous insufficiency when your body has trouble returning blood to your heart. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor from the cardiology department
Symptoms of DVT
Deep vein thrombosis symptoms can include:
- Leg pain, soreness, or cramping that frequently begins in the calf
- Leg swelling
- A feeling of warmth on the affected leg
- Change in skin color on the leg — such as purple or red, based on the color of your skin
Deep vein thrombosis can occur without noticeable symptoms.
DVT Causes
Anything that stops the blood from flowing or properly clotting can cause a blood clot. The main causes of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are damage to a vein from surgery or inflammation and damage because of infection or injury.
About heart block
On the other hand, heart block can result from an injury or damage to the heart muscle or valves. Heart block is diverse from coronary heart disease, which occurs when a waxy substance, known as plaque, builds up in the coronary arteries. It can cause chest pain, known as angina, or a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI). Certain types of heart attacks can lead to heart block.
Symptoms of heart block
Some people with a milder form of heart block may not experience any symptoms. Others may experience:
- difficulty with exercise or exertion due to the heart having trouble pumping blood around the body
- shortness of breath
- chest pain or discomfort
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- a slow or irregular heartbeat, or palpitation
People with heart block may appear in good physical shape, but they may have an underlying heart problem.
FAQ:
Is there a link between DVT and heart block?
Deep vein thrombosis can develop in anyone but is more likely if you are sitting or lying down for a long time. People with heart failure are also at increased risk because the heart is less efficient at pumping blood. Heart failure, where your heart muscle is too weak or damaged to pump well, slows down your blood flow. This can cause your blood to clot more easily than it should.
DVT occurs in your veins. Your heart depends on veins to transport blood and other necessary supplies back from other parts of your body. Even though DVT does not happen in your heart, the clots can pass through the heart while traveling to your lungs.
When should you consult with the Cardiology department?
The cardiologist from the cardiology department is trained to remove any clots clogging up the flow of blood in your veins. You can have vascular surgery on any body part except your brain and heart. At some point, you may meet with a cardiologist or a heart doctor whose specialty includes treating a variety of issues related to DVT.
Interventional cardiologists from the cardiology department specializing in peripheral interventions perform catheter-based procedures to break up or pull out a clot.
End Note
DVT may have no symptoms but can cause swelling, discoloration, and pain in the affected area. This issue can be treated through interventions offered by experts from the cardiology department such as compression socks and blood thinners, with the primary goals of treatment being to keep the blood clot from growing or becoming dislodged and traveling to other parts of the body and to keep new blood clots from forming. If not treated, DVT can result in a pulmonary embolism, which is very serious and can be serious. To prevent deep vein thrombosis, it is important to exercise regularly, eat a nutrient-rich diet, and manage any pre-existing conditions that may hinder regular blood flow.
