U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know
Here’s how you know

**Official websites use .gov**
A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
A **lock** ( A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Search Query:
			MAIN MENU

																				
              Health Topics
								All Health Topics A-Z
					
													
		

		Asthma


				

															Heart-Healthy Living


				

															High Blood Pressure


				

															Sickle Cell Disease


				

															Sleep Apnea


				

															Information & Resources on COVID-19
																				
              Health Education
								Education Programs and Initiatives
					
													
		

		The Heart Truth®


				

															Learn More Breathe Better®


				

															Blood Diseases and Disorders Education Program


				

															Publications and Resources
																				
              The Science
								Research Focus Areas
					
													
		

		Blood Disorders and Blood Safety


				

															Sleep Science and Sleep Disorders


				

															Lung Diseases


				

															Health Disparities and Inequities


				

															Heart and Vascular Diseases


				

															Precision Medicine Activities


				

															Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity


				

															Population and Epidemiology Studies


				

															Women’s Health


				

															Research Topics


				

															Clinical Trials


				

															All Science A-Z
																				
              Grants and Training
								Grants and Training Home


				

															Policies and Guidelines


				

															Funding Opportunities and Contacts


				

															Training and Career Development
																				
              News and Events
								News and Events Home
					
													
		

		Email Alerts


				

															All News
					
													
		

		NHLBI News


				

															NHLBI in the Press


				

															Research Features


				

															All Events
					
													
		

		Past Events


				

															Upcoming Events
																				
              About NHLBI
								About NHLBI Home
					
													
		

		Mission and Strategic Vision


				

															Leadership


				

															Divisions, Offices and Centers


				

															Advisory Committees


				

															Budget and Legislative Information


				

															Jobs and Working at the NHLBI


				

															Contact and FAQs


				

															NIH Sleep Research Plan
						
						HOME
		Search Text: Venous Thromboembolism
< Back To HomeVenous Thromboembolism

0
  Venous Thromboembolism
        MENU

    < Back To HomeVenous Thromboembolism

  What Is Venous Thromboembolism?
                                                  
                          Types
                                                                Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
                                                  
                          Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
                                                  
                          Symptoms
                                                  
                          Diagnosis
                                                  
                          Causes and Risk Factors
                                                  
                          Preventing Blood Clots
                                                  
                          Treatment
                                                  
                          Recovery
                                                  
                          Women and venous thromboembolism (VTE)
MORE INFORMATION
                        Find a clinical trial
    
          Venous Thromboembolism
Venous ThromboembolismWhat Is Venous Thromboembolism?

Language switcherEnglishEspañol

Medical Animation Copyright © 2022 Nucleus Medical Media, All rights reserved.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein. VTE includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep veins, usually in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. DVTs can also occur in the arms, especially if there is a large intravenous central line in the vein. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. VTE is common. As many as 600,000 VTE events occur each year in the United States.

The risk of developing VTE is highest after major surgery, major injury, or during periods of infection and inflammation. This is because blood clots can develop in veins damaged by surgery or injury. Lack of movement after surgery or while traveling long distances can raise the likelihood of blood clotting. Inflammation and serious infection also raise the likelihood of blood clots. Swelling, redness, and pain are some of the symptoms of DVT. A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.

Sometimes VTE occurs without any obvious signs, which can make it harder to diagnose. If you have recently had surgery or have other risk factors of VTE, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk and how to prevent blood clots. Your provider will do tests to find out whether you have the condition.

If you have VTE, your provider may prescribe medicines to treat serious vein blockages and help prevent further blood clots from forming. Without treatment, VTE can restrict or block blood flow and oxygen, which can damage the body’s tissue or organs. This can be especially serious in the case of a pulmonary embolism, which blocks blood flow to the lungs. If a blood clot is large or there are many clots, a pulmonary embolism can cause death.
Book traversal links for What Is Venous Thromboembolism?
      Next
                    Types
  Last updated on September 19, 2022 Back To Top Link
  

        

        Back to top
  Web Policies & Notices
  

        

              Accessibility
                      No FEAR Act Data
                      Privacy Policy
                      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
    
          Related Government Websites
  

        

              Health and Human Services
                      National Institutes of Health
                      Office of the Inspector General
                      USA.gov
    
          Stay Connected
    
      
            chat bubblesLive ChatLive Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.envelopeGet Email AlertsReceive automatic alerts about NHLBI related news and highlights from across the Institute.
  Footer Bottom
  

        



Contact Us
                            Site Index
                            Jobs