Random aches and pains are a fact of life – one that is more common as we get older. Most of the time, they are just annoying and inconvenient. However, some pain may indicate a more serious condition, and some warrant medical attention ASAP. You know that chest pain can be suspicious of a heart attack. But you should also know that if you feel this in your leg, you should contact your doctor. Read on to find out more – and do not miss these to ensure your health and the health of others Secure signs that you have already had COVID.
If you feel swelling, pain or heat in the leg – which may be accompanied by redness of the skin – you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It may be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that most often develops in the leg. It can be dangerous or even fatal.
“Blood clots can develop in the veins of your legs and block blood flow in different parts of your body, depending on where the blood clot moves,” says Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB / GYN at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “The body can travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE) or your brain and cause a stroke. Blood clots are extremely dangerous, even fatal in unusual cases.”
Experts say that if any of these apply to you and you experience swelling, pain or heat in your leg, you should seek medical attention immediately:
- You have traveled within the last 90 days (such as a long flight or drive)
- You have experienced moderate to severe injury, such as falls, bruises or broken bone
- You have had surgery recently
- You use hormone contraception or hormone replacement therapy
- You’ve recently had cancer
- You have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or coughing up blood
“The best way to prevent DVTs is to exercise regularly, control weight gain and obesity, quit smoking and avoid sitting for extended periods,” says Ross.
Experts say you can reduce your risk of blood clots by practicing heart-healthy habits. These include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure in a healthy area.
And to protect your life and the lives of others, do not visit any of these 35 places where you will most likely catch COVID.
Michael Martin
Michael Martin is a New York City-based author and editor whose health and lifestyle content has also been published on Beachbody and Openfit. A co-author of Eat This, Not That !, he has also been published in New York, Architectural Digest, Interview and many others. Read more
