Deep Vein Thrombosis

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that usually occurs in a deep, larger vein of the lower leg or arm. If a clot travels to your lungs (called a pulmonary embolism), it can lead to serious and even life-threatening problems. Symptoms of a DVT are swelling, redness, or pain in one leg or arm. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. A DVT can lead to long-term problems, such as vein damage that causes the leg to swell, ache, and change color.

DVTs tend to happen when a person is inactive or sitting for an extended period, such as on a long flight or car trip. Surgery increases the risk of a developing a DVT, as does smoking, obesity, and being age 40 or older. Those with cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure also are at higher risk, along with people who have a personal or family history of a blood clot. Taking hormones or oral contraceptives increases the risk of a DVT, as well.

Whether you are looking for treatment for spider and varicose veins or a more complex vein problem, the UAB Vein Clinic offers comprehensive evaluation, specialized treatment, and compassionate care for the health of your veins.

As central Alabama’s premier comprehensive vein center, the UAB Vein Clinic provides state-of-the-art cosmetic, minimally invasive, and surgical treatments, performed by vascular specialists and medical experts who are specially trained in vein disease.

Located at UAB Hospital-Highlands, the clinic provides outpatient care, while more intensive treatments and vascular surgery are performed at UAB Hospital. The UAB Vein Clinic is part of the larger UAB Vein Program. As the only one of its kind in the state, the UAB Vein Program was created to care for a wide range of venous problems.

When you choose UAB Medicine to care for your vein condition, you gain immediate access to physicians and surgeons who are leaders in the most complex vascular conditions and offer the latest treatment options.

Vein Clinic
UAB Hospital-Highlands
1201 11th Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama

Care Providers

Cora Passman, CRNP Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery Marc Passman, MD Endovascular Surgery, Vascular Surgery

Resources

• Patient Forms and Information
• UAB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
• NIH – Venous Thromboembolism
• YouTube: PBS – National Medical Reporter Video – Compression
• American Venous Forum
• Society for Vascular Surgery
• Healthy Veins
• Vascular Cures

Related Specialties

• Inferior Vena Cava Filter
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Vascular Disease
• Vein Clinic