My 40-year-old daughter is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), should I be worried?

DVT is a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. Symptoms are swelling, pain and tenderness in the calf that can extend to the thigh. The area may feel warm and look red as blood is diverted to the surface. Occasionally there are no symptoms and sufferers may present with pulmonary embolism, when a bit of the clot breaks off and goes to the lung. This is dangerous. Risks are increased after an op, usually by the patient’s inability to move and prevention measures are taken. Other risk factors include pregnancy, the contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy, obesity and underlying cancer. Treatment for DVT is with warfarin, heparin or one of the newer anticoagulants. Compression stockings are important to reduce the risk of another DVT and post thrombotic syndrome. Prevention is better than cure for DVT, lose weight and exercise and on long journeys keep your legs moving.