Can you get a DVT in your arm?
Yes. Around one in ten deep vein clots occur in the arm, in the veins of the upper arm, armpit or under the collarbone. Arm DVT is often linked to a PICC line, port or pacemaker wire, but can also happen after strenuous, repetitive upper-body exercise or with thoracic outlet narrowing.
What are the symptoms of a blood clot in the arm?
Symptoms usually affect one arm:
- Swelling of the arm or hand, sometimes the whole limb
- Aching, heaviness or pain, often worse with use
- Redness or a bluish discolouration
- More visible veins across the shoulder or chest
When is a suspected arm DVT an emergency?
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood or feel faint. These can be signs that a clot has travelled to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
A suspected arm DVT should be assessed the same day. If you cannot be scanned the same day, contact your GP, NHS 111 or the team managing your line.
What causes a DVT in the arm?
The most common causes are:
- A PICC line, central line, port or pacemaker wires
- Cancer and its treatment
- Strenuous, repetitive arm exercise, such as rowing, swimming or weightlifting (effort thrombosis)
- Thoracic outlet syndrome, where the vein is squeezed near the collarbone
- Clotting tendencies, pregnancy or the combined pill
What is effort thrombosis?
Effort thrombosis, or Paget-Schroetter syndrome, is a clot in the main arm vein in otherwise healthy, often young and active people, after strenuous or repetitive upper-body activity. The vein is squeezed where it passes under the collarbone. It needs prompt treatment and a specialist review of the underlying narrowing.
Can a blood clot in the arm travel to the lungs?
Yes, though less often than a clot in the leg. Around one in ten arm DVTs leads to a pulmonary embolism, which is why arm clots are treated with blood thinners too. Chest pain, sudden breathlessness or coughing blood with an arm clot means calling 999.
Will a blood clot in the arm go away on its own?
The body slowly breaks down clots over weeks to months, but an arm DVT should not be left untreated, because of the risk of it spreading or travelling to the lungs. Blood-thinning medicine stops the clot growing while the body clears it, usually for at least three months.
What happens if a clot is found?
You are told straight away. Arm DVT is treated with blood-thinning medicine, usually started the same day. We contact your GP or the team managing any line with the report, and explain what the clot means and what to watch for.
Can a superficial vein clot in the arm be serious?
A clot in a vein just under the skin, often after a cannula or drip, causes a tender, red cord and is usually less serious than DVT. It is worth scanning if the swelling is significant, the clot is near the armpit, or symptoms do not settle.
How accurate is an arm DVT ultrasound?
Ultrasound is the first-line test and is very accurate for clots in the arm and armpit veins. The very central veins deep under the collarbone can be partly hidden by bone; if a clot there is suspected and the scan is unclear, your specialist will recommend a CT or MR venogram.
Does an arm DVT scan hurt?
No. The probe rests on the skin with warm gel and is pressed gently over the veins. There are no needles, no contrast and no radiation.
How long does an arm DVT scan take?
Around twenty to thirty minutes, including a short conversation, the scan from wrist to neck, and time to explain the result before you leave.
How much does an arm DVT scan cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private arm DVT ultrasound costs £290, all fees inclusive: the Doppler scan, the specialist’s time, your written report and images. Same-day appointments are usually available.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book an arm DVT ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for an arm DVT ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private arm DVT ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £290, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street arm DVT ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare needed. You can eat, drive and go back to work straight away. Diagnostic ultrasound at these intensities has no confirmed adverse effects, which is why it can be repeated safely for monitoring. If your results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
