Dr. Gevorg Mnatsakanyan, a cardiovascular surgeon, identified the symptoms of blood clots in superficial and deep veins, as well as the conditions that require urgent medical attention.
The doctor points out that when talking about venous thrombosis, the type of veins affected—whether superficial or deep—must first be identified, because the treatment plan differs significantly between the two cases.
When blood clotting occurs in the superficial veins, a blood clot forms, leading to an inflammatory reaction in the skin and surrounding tissues, a condition medically known as "thrombophlebitis".
According to him, "thrombophlebitis" is a complication of varicose veins in the lower extremities, but it can also occur in superficial veins not affected by varicose veins, which sometimes makes the condition more complicated.
Symptoms of superficial venous thrombosis typically manifest as localized inflammation in a specific part of the vein, including obvious signs such as pain, skin redness, swelling of the lower extremity, and localized warmth. The condition may also be accompanied by general symptoms such as malaise and fever.
Deep vein thrombosis is more serious, and its symptoms vary greatly. In some cases, it may be completely asymptomatic, or it may appear as pain, muscle spasms, and restricted leg movement, in addition to a noticeable swelling in the lower limb that may make it 1.5 to 2 times larger than the other leg.
The doctor confirms that the severity of symptoms in deep vein thrombosis depends on the length of the clot and its anatomical location, and in severe cases it may develop into cyanosis of the limb or even gangrene, in addition to the risk of pulmonary embolism.
He emphasizes that if a blood clot is suspected in superficial or deep veins—even if only some symptoms are present—a doctor should be consulted immediately, preferably a vascular surgeon, a phlebologist, or a general surgeon. If the diagnosis is uncertain, consulting a general practitioner remains the right course of action, as the most important factor is not delaying diagnosis; the earlier the detection, the greater the chances of effective treatment.
