Deep Vein Thrombosis

When To Call a Doctor

Call911or other emergency services if you:

• Have a sudden onset of shortness of breath and/or chest pain. Chest pain from a blood clot that travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) often gets worse with deep breathing.
• Are coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
• Faint or lose consciousness (syncope).

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Swelling, warmth, or tenderness in the soft tissues of your leg.
• Pain in your leg that gets worse when you stand or walk. This is especially important if there is also swelling or redness in your leg.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you think you have a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis). Call your doctor if you are not sure whether you need to be seen right away. If you have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg, you should be seen immediately.

Who To See

Health professionals who can diagnose a blood clot (thrombus) in the leg include:

• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Family medicine doctors.
• Internists.
• Surgeons.
• Emergency room doctors.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: January 15, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Jeffrey J. Gilbertson, MD - Cardiovascular Surgery
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.