Visiting the Emergency Room for a Blood Clot: What to Expect

When you have a blood clot, a trip to the emergency room (ER) can save your life. Blood clots are medical emergencies and require treatment as soon as possible. 

A blood clot is also called a thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that usually forms in the legs. Although DVT does not cause heart attack or stroke, it can cause serious health problems.

If you have DVT and the clot breaks loose, it can travel up to the lungs and get stuck. That’s called a pulmonary embolism (PE). 

Clots that develop in an artery are called arterial thrombosis. These kinds of clots are also serious because they can cause a heart attack or stroke. When you experience symptoms of a blood clot, that’s why you need treatment fast.

When should I go to the ER?

If you think you have a blood clot, you most likely need to visit the ER. 

Signs of DVT include:

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet

• Feelings of heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in your legs

• Changes in the color of your skin

• Thick or hard skin

• Broken skin that looks like a sore

Signs of PE include:

• Sudden shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Coughing up blood

• Fast or irregular heart rate

What can I expect in the ER?

Everyone’s trip to the ER is different. You might get to see a doctor right away, or you may have to wait. When you visit the ER because of a blood clot, here’s what will probably happen:

1. A medical professional will ask several questions about your health and your symptoms. They will also ask what medications you take, how much, and how often.

2. Someone will also ask what medications you take. If you’re given any new medication in the ER, the doctors need to make sure it won’t interact with anything else. 

3. A doctor will examine you and ask more detailed questions about how you’re feeling.

4. In most cases, the doctor will want to get images of your leg, lungs, or wherever you feel pain. An ultrasound is the most common imaging test for DVT. During an ultrasound, a clinician glides a wand across the part of your body where you might have a clot. A CT scan is usually used to diagnose PE. During a CT scan, you lie on a table that slides you into a donut-shaped machine that takes pictures of the area where you feel pain.

5. The doctor may also order a blood test called a D-dimer test. A D-dimer test helps doctors see if a blood clot has dissolved in your body.

6. While you’re in the ER, you may meet with multiple doctors, nurses, and assistants. If you visit an ER in a hospital that’s part of a medical school, you may also be asked if a medical student can observe. (You can say no). All of these medical professionals are highly trained and there to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Will I have to stay in the hospital?

If you’re diagnosed with DVT, you may go home from the ER that day with a prescription for blood thinners. However, you may need to stay in the hospital so doctors can keep an eye on your clot.

If you’re diagnosed with PE, you’ll probably need to go to the hospital. If you have a small PE and no other health problems, there’s a chance you’ll get to go straight home from the ER. But most likely, you’ll need to be admitted.

If I’m sent home, what do I do after my ER visit? 

Follow up with your primary care doctor within a few days after your ER visit. Your doctor can help you determine how to recover and stay well after a blood clot. They may also refer you to a specialist if needed.

The ER and blood clots: bottom line

If you experience any signs of a blood clot, take it seriously. Your local ER is there to help during medical emergencies, including blood clots. An ER visit can be stressful, but it will give you fast treatment and peace of mind when you need it most.