Advice for patients following venous thromboembolism (VTE)

Read our guide below about the symptoms of a blood clot and what to do if you have one.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

What is venous thromboembolism (VTE)?

It’s when a blood clot forms, most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin or arm, known as deep vein thrombosis, (DVT).

These clots may break free and travel in the blood, lodging in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolism, (PE). Together, DVT and PE are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Symptoms

Symptoms of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg include:

• pain and tenderness in the leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• warm skin around the painful area
• red or darkened skin around the painful area – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) include:

• unexplained shortness of breath
• chest pain that’s worse when you breathe
• coughing up blood.

Other blood clots

Sometimes a blood clot can happen in a vein in another part of your body although this is very rare.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have symptoms of DVT such as pain and swelling or a PE such as breathlessness or chest pain.

How is it treated?

Blood-thinning medicines, called anticoagulants

You may have been given an injection of a blood-thinning medicine called heparin (Dalteparin) while awaiting test results.

Anticoagulant medicine stops blood clots getting bigger and prevents new clots forming.

You will need to take these for at least 3 months. It’s really important that you take these medicines correctly.

Low molecular weight Heparin (for example, Dalteparin) before a confirmation scan

You may have an injection of a blood-thinning medicine called Heparin while you wait for a scan to see if you have a DVT , or a PE.

Direct oral anticoagulant tablets (DOACs) for example, Apixaban and Rixaroxaban

DOACs are tablets which you take by mouth. You’ll usually have a 3-month supply from the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC).

Warfarin

Warfarin are tablets you take by mouth once a day. You ‘ll need to have regular blood tests while taking warfarin to make sure your dose is right.

Warfarin can take some time to take effect so you’ll need to have injections of Dalteparin (a rapid working anticoagulant) until the warfarin begins to take effect. You’ll usually have at least 7 days of low molecular weight heparin and 3 different strengths of warfarin from SDEC.

We’ll refer you to the anticoagulation service who’ll contact you to arrange a blood test.

It’s very important you don’t miss your blood tests or stop taking you warfarin unless told to do so by a healthcare professional.

If you have any questions or concerns, or you haven’t heard from the anticoagulation service, call them 01494 323600 (option 1).

Low molecular weight Heparin injections (for example, Dalteparin)

In some cases, we may prescribe low weight Heparin injections only. You’ll usually have at least one month’s supply.

It’s important that you don’t run out of injections. Your GP won’t normally give you a prescription for these injections so you’ll need to return to the hospital for more.

Contact your consultant to continue to get these through the hospital pharmacy.

Surgery (thrombectomy)

This is to remove blood clots. Occasionally patients are referred for mechanical removal of blood clots.

If you get a DVT when you’re pregnant, you’ll have injections for the rest of the pregnancy and until your baby is 6 weeks old.

During your recovery

To help your recovery from DVT, you should:

• walk regularly
• keep your affected leg raised when sitting
• discuss compression stockings with your GP if you still have swelling in your affected leg after 4 weeks
• delay any flights or long journeys until at least 2 weeks after you start taking blood thinning medicine.

Recovering from PE

To help your recovery from PE, you should:

• gradually increase your activity levels back to normal
• give up smoking – get local support to help you stop or read general advice from the NHS.

You should make a full recovery from a pulmonary embolism if it’s spotted and treated early. Most patients begin to feel less breathless around 2 weeks after treatment and recover by 12 weeks.

What happens next?

The anticoagulation service will contact you within 7 days to check how you’re managing the medication we gave you.

Call 01494 323 600 (option 1) if you:

• have any questions or concerns
• anticoagulation service hasn’t contacted you.

More information

Find out more about how our anticoagulation service helps to treat and support your condition.

Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of DVT.

Find out more about the about the symptoms and treatment of PE.
Get useful resources and information about DVT, PE and VTE 

What to do if you think you have symptoms of DVT

Call 999 or go to A&E 

Symptoms include pain and swelling, breathlessness or chest pain.

For general medical advice visit the NHS website, call NHS 111 or talk to your GP.

Get medicines advice via our pharmacy patient helpline on 01296 838220 or you can email bucks.medicinesresourcecentre@nhs.net to contact the helpline team Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?

Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections.

You, and anyone visiting you, must use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in and after you leave. You may need to wash your hands at the sink using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not suitable for dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.

About our patient information

We aim to make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but please note that it’s subject to change. You must always check specific advice on any concerns you may have with your doctor.