What are the long-term complications of blood clots?

About one-third to one half of patients experience some form of long-term complications after their blood clot, including but not limited to:

• Post-thrombotic syndrome: persistent swelling, pain, discoloration of the skin in the affected arm or leg; and rarely the skin can break down (ulceration)
• 2-4% of PE patients will have chronic lung damage (thromboembolic pulmonary hy­pertension)
• Further episodes of clotting
• Anxiety and/or depression

While not a long-term complication, once someone has a blood clot, they have an increased risk of developing another one.