Difference between DVT And Varicose Veins
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Oct 25, 2024 Published on: Feb 28, 2023
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Table of Contents
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot which forms in the deep veins in the body. It usually forms in one or more veins in the legs and can cause leg pain or swelling. DVT may occur due to certain medical conditions, you may also develop the condition if you don’t move for a long time, especially if you are on bed rest due to surgery, illness or an accident. DVT can be serious if the blood clots in the veins rupture and travel through the bloodstream, getting stuck in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). DVT must be timely treated to avoid any health complications.
Occlusion of a deep vein by a thrombus is called the deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT of the legs is the commonest form of deep vein thrombosis, and it has an alarmingly high rate of mortality. Whereas can be defined as the presence abnormally elongated, dilated and tortuous superficial veins.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)
Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted veins located close to the skin’s surface. It commonly affects the legs because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower body. Varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Without proper treatment, you may experience more serious problems.
| Different Factors | DVT | Varicose Veins |
| Causes | Coagulopathies (conditions like APLA, thrombocytosis etc., which increase the risk of blood clots) Vein damage due to an injury or surgery Crohn’s disease or any inflammatory bowel disease Lack of movement Pregnancy Obesity Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Smoking Cancer Heart Failure Genetics | Due to weakening of valves of veins Ageing Hormonal changes or menopause Pregnancy Family history of varicose veins Sitting or standing for too long |
| Symptoms | Leg swelling and pain Cramps or soreness that often starts in the leg calf Reddish or purple skin colour on the leg A feeling of warmth on the affected leg | Appearance of dark purple or blue veins Veins that appear twisted and bulging on the legs A heavy feeling in the legs Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in the lower legs Increased pain when sitting or standing for a long time Itching around the veins |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination D-dimer blood test. D-dimer is a type of protein produced by blood clots. People with severe DVT have increased blood levels of D dimer. Duplex ultrasound. This creating pictures of how blood flows through the veins. Venography. This test uses X-rays and dye to create a picture of the veins in the legs and feet. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This test diagnoses DVT in veins of the belly (abdomen). | Physical examinationYour health care provider will do a physical exam, including looking at your legs while you’re standing to check for swelling. Your provider might also ask you to describe pain and aching in your legs. Doppler ultrasound. This noninvasive test checks blood flow through the valves in the veins and can help detect a blood clot. |
| Treatment options that can be advised by doctors | DVT treatment options include: Blood thinners. These medicines may be taken by mouth, given by IV or an injection under the skin. Clot busters (thrombolytics). These drugs are used for more-serious types of DVT, given by IV or through a tube (catheter) placed directly into the clot. Filters. It is placed into a large vein in your belly (abdomen)to stops clots from lodging in the lungs. Support stockings (compression stockings). These special knee socks don’t allow blood to clot in the legs and reduce leg swelling. | Self-care measures such as exercise, keeping the legs in a raised position when sitting or lying down or wearing compression stockings to ease the pain. Sclerotherapy. An injection is given in the varicose veins to close them. Laser treatment. This procedure involves no cuts or needles and the laser is used on the veins to make them slowly fade and disappear. Catheter-based procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy. High ligation and vein stripping. This procedure involves tying off a vein before it joins a deep vein and removing the vein through small cuts. Ambulatory phlebectomy (fluh-BEK-tuh-me). This procedure helps remove smaller varicose veins through tiny skin punctures made on the leg. |
| Prevalence. | People older than 60 have a high risk of developing DVT. DVT is slightly more common in men. | Varicose veins are very common by the age of 60. Women are twice as likely as men to have varicose veins. |
| Complications | Pulmonary embolism (PE). A life-threatening complication occurs when a blood clot breaks and gets stuck in a lung. Symptoms of PE are sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, fainting and coughing up blood. Postphlebitic syndrome. The blood flow is reduced in the affected areas and you may have leg pain, swelling and skin discolouration. Treatment complications. Blood thinners used for DVT can cause bleeding (haemorrhage). | Ulcers. These can form on the skin near varicose veins on the leg. Blood clots. If you have persistent leg pain or swelling and there can be blood clots. Bleeding. The veins close to the skin may burst and cause minor bleeding, which requires medical attention. |
A person is at greater risk of developing a deep-vein blood clot if they are overweight or obese or if they have a family history of Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, or clotting disorders. The risk also goes up if a person is a smoker.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins are both conditions of the veins, the symptoms of both conditions are very similar and it is possible for you to confuse the two. If you notice leg pain, leg swelling or changes in the colour of the veins on the leg, seek timely treatment. You must get yourself diagnosed by a certified doctor and discuss all your symptoms. Prompt treatment will ensure that you experience no more pain and there are no serious complications. Avoid self-medicating as it can worsen these two conditions.
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