A blood clot in the leg (often called a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) can be serious because a clot may travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms can be subtle, and not everyone has all of these signs.
10 possible warning signs of a blood clot in the leg:
- Swelling in one leg
- Sudden swelling, especially in the calf, ankle, or thigh, is a common warning sign.
- Leg pain or tenderness
- Pain may feel like a cramp, soreness, or aching, often in the calf.
- Warmth in the affected area
- The skin over the clot may feel warmer than the other leg.
- Redness or discoloration
- The skin may appear red, purple, or darker than usual.
- A feeling of heaviness or tightness
- The leg may feel unusually full, tight, or uncomfortable.
- Pain that worsens when walking or standing
- Movement or pressure may make discomfort more noticeable.
- Visible changes in surface veins
- Veins may appear more prominent or swollen.
- Sudden unexplained leg discomfort
- New symptoms without an obvious injury should be checked, especially with risk factors.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain (possible emergency)
- These can be signs the clot has traveled to the lungs.
- Coughing up blood or feeling faint (emergency signs)
- Seek emergency help immediately.
Get urgent medical care if you suspect a DVT, especially if you have risk factors such as:
- Recent surgery or hospitalization
- Long periods of sitting or travel
- Previous blood clots
- Smoking
- Certain cancers
- Pregnancy or recent childbirth
- Use of estrogen-containing medicines
A painful or swollen leg is not always a blood clot—it can have other causes—but a new one-sided swelling or pain should be evaluated promptly.
