Does a blood clot feel like a strain? (2024)

Does a blood clot feel like a strain?

Usually, DVT pain comes as a combo with other symptoms like swelling or redness, but sometimes it can stand alone. “Unfortunately, pain from a blood clot can easily be mistaken for a muscle cramp or strain, which is why the issue often goes undiagnosed and is specifically dangerous,” says Dr. Navarro.

Can a blood clot feel like a pulled muscle?

These symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a charley horse, but may differ in that the leg (or arm) may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms, because you may need treatment right away.

What can be mistaken for a blood clot?

Is it a calf strain or blood clot?

A calf cramp can commonly present in both legs, where as a blood clot will usually appear in one spot. A DVT will often present with pain, redness, heat and a palpable lump, whereas a strain or muscle cramp will be painful but doesn't always have redness or heat radiating from the area.

Can you feel a blood clot by touch?

You might have redness and swelling and see a red, hard cord just under the surface of your skin that's tender to the touch. Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include swelling, tenderness, and pain in your leg. Superficial thrombophlebitis signs and symptoms include: Warmth, tenderness and pain in the affected area.

Is blood clot pain constant?

The pain associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can vary from person to person, and may not always be constant. The pain may come and go, or it may persist and worsen over time. However, other symptoms such as swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected area may be present.

What are the first signs of a blood clot?

Would it be obvious if I had a blood clot?

Your symptoms will depend on the size of the clot. That's why you might not have any symptoms or only have minor calf swelling without a lot of pain. If the clot is large, your entire leg could become swollen with extensive pain. It's not common to have blood clots in both legs or arms at the same time.

How do you rule a blood clot at home?

Symptoms to Lookout For

There are a few telltale signs that you may have DVT, which include pain, swelling, tenderness or redness in and around the suspected area. Some other signs include leg cramps, leg pain that becomes more severe when the foot is bent and skin discoloration.

What does an early blood clot feel like?

Symptoms of a blood clot include: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.

How do you tell the difference between a muscle strain and a blood clot?

Symptoms of DVT tend to become worse over time, while symptoms associated with muscle strain usually resolve as time goes by. For calf pain, DVT usually causes pain in the back of the calf, while an injured muscle typically causes discomfort in the side of the calf.

How to tell the difference between a muscle strain and a blood clot?

There are some symptoms that help differentiate whether your pain is from a cramp or a blood clot. Leg cramps tend to go away on their own and are not harmful. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically causes one-sided leg swelling, redness, and warmth that worsens over time.

How do you rule out a blood clot in your leg?

Duplex ultrasonography is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the flow of blood in the veins. It can detect blockages or blood clots in the deep veins. It is the standard imaging test to diagnose DVT. A D-dimer blood test measures a substance in the blood that is released when a clot breaks up.

Do blood clots hurt when you press on them?

Sometimes a clot is small or only partially obstructs a blood vessel, and there are no symptoms. The classic symptoms, however, are pain, swelling, tenderness to the touch along the course of the vein, redness, or, in some cases, even bluish discoloration of the affected arm or leg.

Does a blood clot hurt to press?

Takeaway. A blood clot can form in the veins or the arteries, interrupting blood flow. It can cause pain, swelling, and red or dark, tender skin. The area around the blood clot may feel tight or sore like you have a muscle cramp or charley horse.

What feels like a blood clot but isn t?

You may have DVT, deep vein thrombosis, if you notice that one limb is swollen, painful, warm, and red. But many other things can cause similar symptoms. Some of them, like minor cuts, fractures, or sprains, are relatively harmless, and others are more serious.

Is blood clot pain sharp or dull?

Initial signs of a blood clot include: Pain. As the clot gets worse, you may feel a sensation ranging from a dull ache to intense pain. The pain may throb in your leg, belly, or even arm.

Does blood clot pain get better with rest?

Yes—The cramping sensations and pain that occur with DVT will persist and even worsen with time. Stretching or “walking it off” like an ordinary charley horse will not ease DVT pain or clear it up.

Is blood clot pain in leg constant or intermittent?

As many as half of those who get a DVT in their legs develop symptoms of intermittent leg pain and swelling that may last months to years.

What are the silent symptoms of a blood clot?

We can't see or feel these veins, meaning a clot could be “silent” with no symptoms, or it could cause dull, heavy pressure, pain, and swelling. Clots in superficial veins, outside of the muscle tissue, can cause a lump or cord tender to the touch.

What are 4 signs of a blood clot?

Should I take aspirin if I think I have a blood clot?

If you visit a vein clinic or hospital for a blood clot and blood thinners are suggested to you, taking aspirin may be an option, instead. It is not for everyone, and will not be enough in all cases, but it does have a similar effect and may work well to reduce the chances of another blood clot in the future.

How long can a blood clot go undetected?

Small blood clots in the calf can sometimes go undetected for several days or weeks, especially if they don't show any symptoms. If left untreated, however, DVT can travel up the veins in the leg to the lungs or other major organs in the body, leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism or similar complication.

What does blood clot pain feel like?

Signs that you may have a blood clot

leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.

What are the red flags for DVT?