Q19. How do you treat deep vein thrombosis?

A19. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often treated with a type of medication called an "anticoagulant". Anticoagulants work by preventing a blood clot from increasing in size or from breaking up and passing through your veins into your lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Heparin and warfarin are two examples of anticoagulant drugs.

Many people assume that warfarin thins the blood but what it and heparin do is to change the conditions within the blood to stop blood clots from forming.

It increases the amount of time needed for a blood clot to form. This is why it is known as a "blood thinner". 

Other forms of treatment include wearing compression stockings and lying down and raising your legs. This elevation eases any pressure on the veins and stops blood from collecting in the veins in the lower legs.

For more information about treatment and other aspects visit our deep vein thrombosis section.  

FAQS Index:

Varicose veins FAQs

• Q1. What are varicose veins?
• Q2. Do varicose veins only develop in your legs?
• Q3. Who is most likely to get varicose veins
• Q4. Why do women get varicose veins more than men?
• Q5. What causes varicose veins?
• Q6. What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
• Q7. How are varicose veins diagnosed?
• Q8. What is the treatment for varicose veins?
• Q9. Are there long term problems with varicose veins?
• Q10. How do you prevent varicose veins?

• Q11. Can you inherit varicose veins?
• Q12. How do compression stockings work?
• Q13. What is endovenous laser ablation?
• Q14. What is sclerotherapy?
• Q15. Does sitting with your legs crossed cause varicose veins?
• Q16. What is deep vein thrombosis?
• Q17. Does travelling cause deep vein thrombosis?
• Q18. Can you prevent deep vein thrombosis?
• Q19. How do you treat deep vein thrombosis?
• Q20. Are varicose veins the same as thread veins?

Guide to Varicose Veins

• Guide to Varicose Veins
• Your leg veins
• Varicose veins
• Causes of varicose veins
• Symptoms of varicose veins
• Diagnosing varicose veins
• Treating varicose veins
• Non-surgical treatment for varicose veins
• Coil embolisation
• Sclerotherapy
• Foam sclerotherapy
• Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Compression stockings

• Surgical treatment for varicose veins
• Vein ligation and stripping
• Endoscopic perforator vein surgery
• Latest treatments
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Endovenous laser treatment
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Transilluminated powered phlebectomy
• Complications of varicose veins
• Preventing varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins FAQs
• Glossary