You may have a blood clot in your leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), if you experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Swelling in one leg, often the calf or thigh, which may cause the leg to feel tight or heavy
- Leg pain, cramping, soreness, or a feeling similar to a pulled muscle or charley horse, often worsening when standing or walking
- Skin color changes on the affected leg, such as redness, purple, or bluish discoloration depending on your skin tone
- Warmth or a feeling of heat in the affected area
- Tenderness or pain when touching the leg
- Visible swollen veins or a tight, shiny appearance of the skin over the leg
Sometimes, DVT can occur without noticeable symptoms
. If you have these symptoms, especially swelling and pain in one leg, you should seek medical help promptly because DVT can be dangerous. It can lead to a pulmonary embolism if the clot travels to your lungs, which is a medical emergency. Signs of a pulmonary embolism include sudden chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing up blood, and require immediate emergency care
. In summary, watch for swelling, pain, warmth, and discoloration in one leg, and seek urgent medical advice if these appear, particularly if accompanied by chest pain or difficulty breathing
