Chronic DVT is a long-term medical condition with greater health risks than acute DVT. This DVT classification results from a blood clot that has persisted for 28 days or longer. After this extended period, your blood clot has likely hardened and connected with your interior vein walls. This process can create new medical conditions, including scar tissue, poor circulation, and acts as a source of recurrent DVT.
Chronic DVT and PE are significant risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot has moved upward toward the lungs. VTE happens when the thrombus hardens and shrinks within the vein, allowing it to travel freely.