Medical treatments that may help treat a blood clot in the leg, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), include anticoagulants, compression socks or stockings, and surgery.

A blood clot is a semisolid clump of blood that forms inside a blood vessel. Without treatment, a blood clot can reach your organs and cause potentially life threatening conditions, including:

  • pulmonary embolism
  • stroke
  • heart attack

It’s important to treat blood clots as soon as possible after diagnosis to help prevent serious complications.

Read on to learn more about medications, surgery, and other treatments a healthcare professional may recommend for blood clots in the legs.

Medical emergency

Blood clots don’t always cause obvious symptoms, but you should seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath

Anticoagulant medications, also known as blood thinners, are a common treatment for blood clots. These medications reduce the chances of new clots forming. They also help your body break up any existing clots.

Warfarin

Warfarin is a prescription anticoagulant that works by blocking the formation of substances in your blood called clotting factors. These substances promote blood clotting.

Enoxaparin

Enoxaparin is also sold under the brand name Lovenox. It prevents blood clots by binding to a substance called antithrombin III, which inhibits clotting.

Heparin

Heparin works by weakening the effect of proteins in the blood that promote clotting.

Direct oral anticoagulants

Direct oral anticoagulants are a newer group of anticoagulants. A 2017 research review showed that they are at least as safe as warfarin. They’re also less likely to interact with other medications or supplements.

Compression socks and stockings apply pressure to your feet and legs to help reduce swelling and improve blood flow.

Compression stockings extend to your upper thigh. They apply more pressure around your foot and less pressure higher on your leg. This helps keep blood and fluid from pooling in your lower body.

A 2018 review followed 1,681 people before and after having surgery. The researchers found that only 9% of people who wore compression stockings on the day before or on the day of surgery developed blood clots. In comparison, 21% of people who didn’t wear compression stockings developed blood clots.

Thrombolytics are medications that dissolve blood clots. You can receive them intravenously (IV), or directly into a blood vessel through a catheter.

Currently, doctors use thrombolytics such as:

  • alteplase
  • anistreplase
  • prourokinase
  • reteplase
  • streptokinase
  • tenecteplase
  • urokinase

A thrombectomy is a procedure that involves surgically removing a blood clot directly from a blood vessel.

You might have a thrombectomy to remove particularly large clots or clots that are causing concerning symptoms.

A vena cava filter is a small device that prevents blood clots from passing through the vena cava, the major vein that leads to the heart.

A healthcare professional may recommend a vena cava filter if you are at a high risk of developing pulmonary embolism, as anticoagulant medications may not be suitable.

A blood clot should be assessed and treated by a medical professional. There’s no proven way to treat a blood clot at home with natural remedies.

If you try to dissolve a blood clot at home, it may take longer for you to get proper medical treatment. This can increase your risk of developing a potentially life threatening condition.

Some foods and supplements may help reduce your chance of developing future blood clots, but they are not substitutes for medical treatment.

Talk with a doctor before making any dietary changes, since some foods and supplements may interact with anticoagulant medications.

Blood clots can take weeks to months to dissolve, depending on their size.

If your risk of developing another blood clot is low, your doctor may prescribe you 3 months of anticoagulant medication, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). If you’re at high risk, your treatment may last years or be lifelong.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends the following habits for preventing blood clots:

  • Stay active, practicing any specific exercises recommended by your doctor.
  • Wear loose socks and clothing.
  • Wear compression stockings if your doctor recommends them.
  • Avoid sitting longer than 1 hour at a time and take regular movement breaks.
  • Occasionally raise your legs at least 6 inches above your heart.
  • Limit salt consumption.
  • Avoid crossing your legs.
  • Raise the end of your bed 4 to 6 inches.
  • Avoid putting pillows under your knees.

You can make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your risk of blood clots and steps you can take to help minimize the risk.

If you have a blood clot in your leg, a healthcare professional might recommend anticoagulant medication such as warfarin. They may also recommend thrombolytics, which can help dissolve blood clots.

Other treatments for blood clots include compression stockings, thrombectomy, and vena cava filters.

No supplements or foods have been proven to treat blood clots. You should talk with a doctor before adding any new foods to your diet, since they may interact with your medications.

Your doctor can help you create a suitable treatment plan for treating a blood clot and reducing the risk of further clots.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, chest pain, and breathing problems.