Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition wherein a blood clot forms in one of the inner veins of the body. It is very common for thrombosis to form in the thigh or calf. However, DVT can affect other areas of the body too and can be dangerous if the clot dislodges from the area it was formed and reaches the lungs. Here are some deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms you must know about.

1. Swelling in the Leg, Foot, or Thigh
Swelling is one of the most common deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms that you should not ignore. While swelling due to other reasons will affect both the legs, when it comes to DVT, only one leg gets swollen. The blood clot restricts easy blood flow to the area and this results in swelling.

2. Cramps
Another early warning sign of DVT is cramping. Once the blood clot is formed, the body tries to clear the vein of the clot, and hence cramping is a way of dislodging the clot from the area. Again, cramping occurs only in one leg and needs to be taken seriously if pain and cramps are persistent for a long time.

3. Affected Areas Feel Warms When Touched
Another of the telltale deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms is a feeling of warmth in the affected area. Since blood flows forcefully around the clot, extra blood pressure is exerted, hence, the area feels warm when touched and appears flushed.

4. Veins Feel Swollen and Hard When Touched
When thrombosis occurs in the veins closer to the skin’s surface, you can touch and feel that the vein is swollen and inflamed. The area feels hard when touched and it also pains when you gently press the skin. The bigger the size of the clot, the more inflammation there will be.

5. Blue-tinted Skin
The skin turns blue when it does not receive enough oxygen. When the blood clot is big and prevents the free flow of blood around, then there is a chance that the skin around the clot would appear blue or discolored. This is one of the serious deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms you should take action on right away.

6. Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain, and Dizziness
Deep vein thrombosis is not life-threatening until the clot dislodges itself and moves to the lungs. It can get attached to the lungs and affect breathing. Some of the most severe symptoms of DVT that need immediate medical attention are shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness. These symptoms along with the abovementioned signs indicate that the clot has moved into the lungs.

All these deep vein thrombosis early warning symptoms should be sufficient for you to be aware of your condition and make an appointment with your doctor right away. There are medications available to quickly dissolve the clot before it turns deadly.