What is CVST?
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a blood clot in the venous sinuses of the brain — channels that drain blood from the brain back to the heart. Blocking these channels can cause increased pressure in the brain, leading to headache, vision changes, or stroke-like symptoms.
Common symptoms
- Severe, progressive headache (the most common symptom)
- Vision changes or double vision
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Seizures
- Changes in consciousness or confusion
🚨 Seek emergency care immediately if you have:
- Any worsening headache — go to the emergency department
- New or worsening neurological symptoms (speech, vision, movement, confusion)
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
Call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Treatment
Anticoagulation is typically continued for 3–12 months depending on the cause and whether there are ongoing risk factors. Your neurologist and hematologist will guide the duration. Regular follow-up imaging is usually recommended.
Trusted resources
Thrombosis Canada
thrombosiscanada.ca →Clot Connect
clotconnect.org →Contact your clinic
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare team.