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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Treatment in Arlington, TX

DVT is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body, usually in the lower leg or thigh. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area. If left untreated, the clot can travel to the lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

deep vein thrombosis

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious vascular condition in which a blood clot forms inside one of the deep veins of the body — most commonly in the thigh or lower leg. When a clot develops, it partially or completely blocks blood flow through the affected vein, causing pain, swelling, and potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated.

At Total Vein & Vascular in Arlington, TX, our board-certified vascular specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating DVT quickly and effectively. If you're experiencing leg pain, swelling, or suspect a blood clot, do not wait — early treatment is critical to preventing serious complications.

Why DVT Is a Medical Emergency

The most dangerous complication of DVT is a pulmonary embolism (PE) — a condition that occurs when a blood clot breaks free from the deep vein and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and requires immediate emergency care.

Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:

  • Sudden shortness of breath

  • Chest pain or tightness

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Coughing up blood

  • Lightheadedness or fainting

If you have leg symptoms but no chest symptoms, contact our Arlington, TX clinic right away for urgent evaluation.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

DVT symptoms can vary in severity. Some patients experience significant discomfort, while others have no symptoms at all — which is why DVT is sometimes called a "silent" condition. Common symptoms include:

Leg Symptoms

  • Swelling in one leg, usually in the calf or thigh

  • Aching, cramping, or pain in the affected leg — often described as a charley horse that won't go away

  • Redness or discoloration of the skin over the affected area

  • Warmth or tenderness to the touch

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, a venous duplex ultrasound can quickly confirm or rule out a DVT diagnosis.

What Causes DVT?

Common Risk Factors

  • DVT occurs when blood flow through a deep vein slows, the vein wall is damaged, or the blood has an increased tendency to clot. Common risk factors include:

  • Recent surgery, especially orthopedic procedures on the hip, knee, or leg

  • Prolonged immobility — long flights, bed rest, or extended sitting

  • Cancer and certain cancer treatments

  • Hormone therapy or birth control pills

  • Pregnancy and the postpartum period

  • Obesity

  • Prior history of DVT or blood clots

  • Family history of clotting disorders (thrombophilia)

  • Varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency

  • May-Thurner Syndrome — a structural condition where the left iliac vein is compressed by the overlying artery, increasing DVT risk

DVT Diagnosis at Total Vein & Vascular

Venous Duplex Ultrasound

​The gold standard for diagnosing DVT is a venous duplex ultrasound — a non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to visualize the deep veins and detect the presence, location, and size of a blood clot. This test is performed in-office at our Arlington clinic and provides immediate results.

Comprehensive Vascular Evaluation

In addition to ultrasound, our vascular specialists evaluate your full history of risk factors and symptoms to determine the best course of treatment and assess your risk for recurrence or complications.

DVT Treatment Options

Anticoagulation (Blood Thinners)

The primary treatment for most DVT cases is anticoagulation therapy — blood-thinning medications that prevent the existing clot from growing and reduce the risk of new clots forming. Our team will prescribe and monitor the appropriate anticoagulant based on your individual needs, clot location, and overall health.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis

For large or severe DVTs that pose an immediate risk to circulation or limb function, catheter-directed thrombolysis may be recommended. In this minimally invasive procedure, a thin, flexible catheter is guided directly to the clot site where clot-dissolving medication is delivered precisely where it's needed — reducing the clot faster than oral medication alone.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filter

For patients who cannot tolerate blood thinners, an IVC filter may be placed in the large vein of the abdomen to catch any clots before they can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. This is a minimally invasive procedure that provides a critical safety net for high-risk patients.

Compression Therapy

Compression stockings are a key component of DVT recovery. They reduce leg swelling, ease pain, and help prevent post-thrombotic syndrome — a long-term complication of DVT that causes chronic leg pain, swelling, and skin changes.

Preventing DVT Recurrence

Once treated, patients with a history of DVT are at elevated risk for future clots. Our team develops personalized prevention strategies including:

  • Ongoing anticoagulation monitoring

  • Lifestyle modifications (regular movement, weight management, hydration)

  • Compression therapy guidance

  • Evaluation and treatment of underlying venous conditions such as May-Thurner Syndrome or chronic venous insufficiency

  • Routine follow-up imaging to monitor vein health

Frequently Asked Questions — DVT

How quickly does DVT need to be treated?

DVT should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. Clots can grow and the risk of pulmonary embolism increases the longer treatment is delayed. If you suspect DVT, call our clinic immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any breathing symptoms.

Can DVT go away on its own?

Small clots can sometimes dissolve naturally, but DVT should never be left untreated without medical supervision. Without treatment, clots can grow, cause permanent vein damage, and lead to life-threatening complications.

What is post-thrombotic syndrome?

Post-thrombotic syndrome is a long-term complication that develops in some DVT patients, causing chronic leg pain, swelling, heaviness, and skin changes in the affected leg. Early treatment and proper compression therapy significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition.

Is DVT treatment covered by insurance?

Yes — DVT treatment is medically necessary and covered by most major insurance plans and Medicare. Our team will verify your insurance benefits before your appointment.

What is the difference between DVT and a varicose vein?

Varicose veins are enlarged, surface-level veins caused by weakened valves. DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein and is a more serious, potentially life-threatening condition. However, both can be related — chronic venous insufficiency from varicose veins can increase DVT risk.

Contact Our DVT Specialists in Arlington, TX

If you're experiencing leg pain, swelling, or any signs of a blood clot, don't wait. Total Vein & Vascular offers prompt evaluation and expert DVT treatment in Arlington, TX — serving patients throughout the DFW metroplex.

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