In January 2025, I collapsed at A&E (the emergency department in the UK) with chest pain and a racing heart (tachycardia.) I have a history of arrhythmias and spent three days in the hospital for tests, and was put on medication for arrhythmia before being discharged. I was due to have a follow-up and was on the waiting list for a CT angiogram and seven-day ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring.
A week later, I was still having chest discomfort, and my left calf became painful and swollen one morning. I went to my general practitioner, who was concerned that I had a blood clot, and immediately sent me back to the hospital.
After a D-dimer blood test, and CT lung scan, they diagnosed a pulmonary embolism in the right lung, right heart strain, and a DVT in my left leg. I was shocked! I was immediately given rivaroxoban, a blood thinner, to help prevent any further clotting. My left leg was 4 cm wider than my right leg because of the thrombosis, and my chest was still painful.
My diagnosis is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and right heart strain. The hospital now thinks my initial collapse at A&E may have been the PE. I was told it was serious and could take three to six months to recover. That was two months ago, and I’m on rivaroxoban twice daily. I am trying to rest whilst staying mobile and getting the blood pumping, but I was told not to overdo it. I feel the medication is working, as my pain in the chest is not as bad as it was.
In terms of risk factors, I have arrhythmias like supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), atrial fibrillation (AFib), venous insufficiency in the left leg, a hospital stay, and a lack of exercise.
The anticoagulant clinic at the hospital has been supportive. I think it’s important to have support when having a blood clot, and the information from them and the Stop the Clot website has been helpful.
I am thankful for my general practitioner, who knew the signs of a blood clot and took immediate action. This demonstrates how local GPs need to be aware of symptoms and what to do. The advanced nurse practitioner at the hospital was thorough and rushed me to my CT scan as a matter of urgency. I will get well with the support I have, and I will be more aware of DVT and PE.
