Blood clotting is a natural process in the body to prevent bleeding. The clotting system can occasionally go into “overdrive” due to a variety of reasons. This can result in abnormal blood clots forming in veins, otherwise known as thrombosis.

The most common sites of thrombosis in the venous system are the legs, which is referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Occasionally these clots can migrate to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolus (PE). Venous thrombosis can be a life-threatening condition that warrants urgent assessment by a physician.