Deep Vein Thrombosis vs. Varicose Veins: What’s the Difference?

deep vein thrombosis vs varicose veins

Deep Vein Thrombosis vs. Varicose Veins: How Do They Differ?

Although varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) both affect the veins, these two conditions have different causes, involve different kinds of veins, and have unique symptoms. One is also more serious than the other.

Varicose veins involve the veins near the surface of the skin , whereas deep vein thrombosis involves veins deeper in the limb . Moreover, deep vein thrombosis is a more serious condition, because it involves blood clots that can cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly.

Read on to learn more about these two conditions, including how to tell them apart, and how they are treated.

Varicose veins are swollen veins that typically occur on the legs, but they can occur elsewhere on the body. The affected veins lie just below the surface of the skin.

Varicose veins are caused by weak veins and damaged vein valves, which can cause blood to pool in your veins or flow in the wrong direction.

Symptoms may include bulging, raised, blue veins that can be itchy and sometimes painful.

An image showing a person wearing shorts who has varicose veins -- swollen, bulging veins -- at the back of their upper leg.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase your risk of varicose veins, including:

  • pregnancy
  • having overweight or obesity
  • advanced age
  • standing for long periods of time
  • a sedentary lifestyle
  • frequent constipation
  • having a family history of varicose veins

Can varicose veins lead to complications?

Varicose veins are usually not a cause for concern, but they can also cause discomfort, such as achy, itchy legs, and fatigue in the legs.

In rare cases, they can lead to more serious complications , such as venus ulcers (ulcers in the veins).

Although varicose veins are not the same as deep vein thrombosis, people who have varicose veins are at increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) happens when a clot forms in a deep vein, putting you at risk of a pulmonary embolism, which is a clot that travels to your lungs and makes it hard to breathe. A pulmonary embolism can be life threatening.

Slowed blood flow in your veins, damage to a vein, or other factors that cause blood clots to form can cause DVT.

Symptoms

DVT symptoms are typically experienced in the lower half of the body , such as the pelvis, thighs, and legs. Roughly 50% of people with DVT do not have any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include:

  • leg swelling
  • reddened skin (rash-like appearance) in the area of the clot
  • pain or tenderness in the area of the blood clot
  • skin that’s warm and tender to the touch in the area of the blood clot
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Because DVT can lead to serious complications, it’s important to get immediate medical attention if you notice these symptoms.

Risk factors

Certain factors can increase your risk of DVT, including:

  • advanced age
  • not moving for extended periods of time
  • having a blood clotting disorder
  • a family history of blood clots
  • being pregnant or taking birth control pills
  • having a condition like lupus, cancer, heart disease, or serious COVID-19 infection

Share on Pinterest Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can include swelling, redness, and pain in the area of the blood clot. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you have these symptoms.
Photo credit: MedSci/Alamy Stock Photo

Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism

Because DVT can cause a pulmonary embolism, it’s important to know the symptoms of this condition, too. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include :

  • shortness of breath
  • chest tightness and pain
  • a racing heartbeat
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • fainting
  • coughing up bloody mucus

If you have any of these signs, call 911 or get to the nearest emergency department immediately.

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Can deep vein thrombosis lead to complications?

DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a serious and potentially deadly condition. With a pulmonary embolism , the clot in your vein travels to your lungs, which causes a blockage. A large clot can prevent blood from reaching your lungs, resulting in restricted blood flow and decreased oxygen levels in your blood.

DVT can also lead to a long-term condition called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), where damaged veins cause pain, swelling, and sometimes disability.

Complications from DVT are the third most common cause of cardiovascular deaths, after strokes and heart attacks.

Varicose veins affect the veins just under your skin, while DVT affects deeper veins. As such, with varicose veins, you’re likely to see bulging, bluish veins on your legs and other affected areas.

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With DVT, you are more likely to experience swelling, skin that’s warm to the touch, and redness of the affected leg or area, rather than bulging veins.

Both varicose veins and DVT can cause discomfort, such as pain and tenderness, most often in the legs. But with varicose veins, you’re more likely to also experience itching, which is not a symptom of DVT.

Varicose veins usually cause visual symptoms, but DVT doesn’t cause any symptoms about half the time .

The other major difference between these two conditions is that DVT can cause a pulmonary embolism. This is not the case with varicose veins. Symptoms to watch for include shortness of breath, dizziness, a racing heartbeat, and a cough that may include blood.

While one of the treatment options for both varicose veins and DVT may be compression stockings, the other treatments for these two conditions are quite different. Here’s what to know.

Treatment for varicose veins

Sometimes varicose veins don’t need to be treated at all. Treatment will depend on your symptoms and their severity. Treatments may include:

  • compression stockings
  • pain relief
  • increased physical activity
  • less time spent standing
  • surgery to remove large or serious varicose veins
  • minimally invasive procedures, such as sclerotherapy, radiofrequency, or laser ablation

Treatment for deep vein thrombosis

If you’re diagnosed with DVT, you need prompt treatment. This may include:

  • blood thinning medication
  • thrombolytic medication, to break up clots
  • surgical removal of the clot
  • compression therapy, such as compression stockings

It’s easy to confuse varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as they both involve vein-related issues. But these two conditions have different causes, involve different kinds of veins, and have unique symptoms.

If you have varicose veins, you may notice bulging blue veins, usually on your legs. DVT can cause leg swelling, pain, and reddening of the skin. One of the most important differences between these two conditions is that DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism, a serious and potentially life threatening complication.

Varicose veins don’t always need treatment, but treatment is vital for DVT. If you have any symptoms of DVT, get immediate medical attention.

Last medically reviewed on April 11, 2023

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