Haematology Clinic
Suite 302, Level 3
2 Technology Place
Macquarie University NSW 2109
Information about blood clotting and its treatment
Blood clots can block blood flow and be life-threatening.
A venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot that forms in a vein while a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot, usually found in the arm or leg. A pulmonary embolism (PE) is when a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- a fast or pounding heartbeat
- chest pain, especially pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath
- feeling short of breath or having trouble breathing
- swelling, pain, or redness in an arm or leg.
Some people may not have any symptoms at all.
When to see a doctor
| Urgency | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Emergency – get help immediately | New or severe chest pain, very low oxygen levels, feeling faint, dizzy or seriously unwell. |
| Urgent – needs prompt medical review | Symptoms that could suggest a blood clot, such as leg swelling or pain, shortness of breath or chest pain. |
| Routine – planned follow-up | Ongoing check‑ups after a blood clot that was found incidentally (by chance) or is already being treated. |
Common causes include:
- cancer
- hormonal therapy
- obesity
- pregnancy
- surgery/immobility
- thrombophilia.
Your doctor may arrange:
- D‑dimer blood test that can help look for signs of a blood clot
- ultrasound scan of the leg or arm to check for a clot in a vein if DVT suspected
- CT pulmonary angiography, a special CT scan of the chest, to look for a blood clot in the lungs if PE suspected
- thrombophilia blood testing, to see if you have an increased tendency to form blood clots. Usually only done in certain situations.
Treatment may include:
- blood‑thinning medications (tablets or injections) that help stop the blood clot from growing and prevent new clots from forming
- clot‑busting treatment medication used in serious or life‑threatening clots to quickly break down the clot
- IVC filter, a small device placed in a vein to stop clots from travelling to the lungs, used only in certain situations
- long‑term blood‑thinning treatment for higher‑risk patients, to reduce the risk of future clots.
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