Deep vein thrombosis Perth
Deep vein thrombosis or DVT
Many people feel unsure about seeing a vascular surgeon. In Perth, we aim to make your visit clear, calm and tailored to you across my Nedlands, Carine, Midland and Northam rooms.
Leg swelling can happen for many reasons, but swelling in one leg, especially with calf pain, warmth or redness, is something we take seriously. A venous ultrasound helps us check whether there is a clot in the deep veins. If it is a DVT, we can guide you towards the right care early and reduce the risk of complications.
Vascular Surgeon Perth
DVT symptoms
What does deep vein thrombosis feel like?
Deep vein thrombosis, often called DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. It most often happens in the leg, but it can happen in other parts of the body too.
DVT symptoms can vary. Some people have clear symptoms, while others may have very mild signs.
- Common symptoms can include:
- Leg swelling, usually in one leg
- Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh
- Warm skin over the affected area
- Redness or a change in skin colour
- A heavy or tight feeling in the leg
- Pain that feels worse when standing or walking
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it is important not to self-diagnose. A proper assessment and ultrasound scan may be needed to check the veins.
A DVT in the leg can be serious, but not every DVT becomes life-threatening.
The main concern is that part of the blood clot may break away and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs urgent medical care.
If you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, or you feel faint, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
If you have a swollen, painful, warm or tender leg, especially on one side, it is important to seek medical advice promptly.
Deep vein thrombosis risk factors
Why do blood clots happen?
A blood clot can form when blood flow slows down, the blood becomes more likely to clot, or there has been damage to a vein.
You may have a higher risk of DVT if you have recently had surgery, been in hospital, had a long flight or long car trip, or had a period where you could not move around much.
Other risk factors can include pregnancy, some hormone treatments, cancer, smoking, obesity, a previous blood clot, or a family history of blood clots.
DVT can feel worrying because it sometimes seems to come out of nowhere. But most people do not need to be constantly worried about blood clots. What matters is knowing your own risk and paying attention to new symptoms, especially swelling, pain, warmth or redness in one leg. If something feels unusual, it is always better to have it checked early.
Vascular Surgeon Perth
How is deep vein thrombosis checked?
The main test for DVT is usually a venous ultrasound. This scan looks at the blood flow in the veins and checks whether a clot is present.
At Dr Altaf’s practice, venous ultrasound can be performed in-house as part of a vascular assessment when appropriate. This helps Dr Altaf understand what is happening in your veins and guide the next steps in your care.
During your assessment, Dr Altaf will also ask about your symptoms, medical history, medications, recent travel, surgery, and any past clotting problems.
The aim is to understand what is causing your symptoms and what care is safest for you.
When to seek urgent help?
Please seek urgent medical care if you have symptoms of DVT and you are feeling unwell, or if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood, or collapse.
These symptoms may suggest a clot has travelled to the lungs. This needs emergency care.
DVT treatment Perth
What happens if I have a DVT?
Treatment depends on where the clot is, how large it is, your medical history, and your risk of further clotting or bleeding.
Many people are treated with blood-thinning medication. These medicines do not “dissolve” the clot straight away, but they help stop the clot from getting bigger and reduce the risk of new clots forming.
Some people may need compression stockings, follow-up ultrasound scans, or longer-term monitoring. In some uncommon or more severe cases, hospital-based procedures may be considered. This may include treatment to break down or remove the clot, especially if the clot is extensive, symptoms are severe, or there is a risk to the leg. This is assessed carefully by the specialist team.
Care after a DVT
After a DVT, some people develop ongoing swelling, aching, skin changes or heaviness in the leg. This is sometimes called post-thrombotic syndrome.
A vascular surgeon can help assess the veins, guide follow-up care, and look for any longer-term circulation issues.
Vascular surgeon for DVT Perth
Get in touch
Dr Nish Altaf is a vascular and endovascular surgeon in Perth. He assesses and manages vein and artery conditions, including leg swelling, venous disease, varicose veins, leg ulcers and circulation concerns.
If you have symptoms that may suggest DVT, please seek medical advice promptly. If your symptoms are severe, sudden, or you feel unwell, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.
For non-urgent concerns about leg swelling, vein health, previous DVT, or ongoing symptoms after a DVT, you can contact Dr Altaf’s rooms or speak with your GP about a referral.
About
Dr Altaf
As a vascular surgeon, I believe there is no one size fits all. This means appointments take as long until you fully understand the condition and are happy with my approach to get you the best treatment option.
