Going home after your visit
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — advice for adults
How to look after yourself after a blood clot in a deep vein, and what to watch for.
You have a DVT — a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It is treated with blood-thinning medicine. With treatment it gets better. Here is how to look after yourself and what to watch for.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Call 999 now — a clot can travel to the lungs
The first four signs can mean the clot has moved to your lungs. Get help fast for the bleeding signs too — your medicine makes bleeding harder to stop.
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain that is worse when you breathe in
- Coughing up blood
- Feeling faint, or a racing heart
- Bleeding that will not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
- Vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Black or bloody stools (poo), or pink, red or brown urine
- A sudden, severe headache, or a fall or blow to the head
- A much more swollen or painful leg
CALL 999 If you are too unwell to get to hospital, or someone collapses, call 999.
Caring for yourself
- Take your blood-thinning medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not miss doses, and do not stop it without medical advice.
- Keep all your follow-up and anticoagulation appointments.
- Keep moving and walk as you are able. Raise your leg when resting to ease the swelling.
- Wear compression stockings if you were given them.
- Tell any dentist, nurse or doctor that you are on a blood thinner.
- Get advice before any flights or long journeys, and carry your anticoagulant card if you have one.
What to expect
Your leg should improve over weeks. You may notice:
Leg swelling easing slowlyAchingSome skin warmthGradual improvement
Full settling can take weeks to months — keep taking your medicine.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above