Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), more commonly known as blood clots, is a dangerous illness that, if untreated, can cause serious health issues. Blood clots have the potential to separate, spread throughout your body via your bloodstream, and result in potentially fatal conditions, including pulmonary embolisms (PE).
A blood clot: what is it?
A clot is a collection of proteins and cells in your blood. It aids in reducing bleeding after an injury and normally goes away as you recover. However, if it doesn't form or forms when it's not needed, it can clog or block a blood vessel entirely.
What Problems Can It Cause?
An unexpected cold can lead to serious problems and even death. An artery can give you a heart attack or a stroke. If it happens in a vein, you can feel pain and swelling. A clot deep inside your body is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). One in your lungs is a pulmonary embolism (PE). They’re both medical emergencies.
Recognize Your Chances
You may develop a blood clot if you pull a muscle or break a bone. But occasionally, you might not even know that you have one or understand why it occurred. But there are hints.
A clot is more likely to occur if you:
Are you recuperating from surgery, or have you spent a lot of time in a wheelchair or sitting on a plane?
Are you obese or overweight?
Have high cholesterol or diabetes?
are older than sixty?
Clue: Swelling
When a clot slows or stops the flow of blood, it can build up in the vessel and make it swell. If it happens in your lower leg or calf, it’s often a sign of DVT. But you also can have a clot in your arms or belly. Even after it goes away, one in three people still has swelling and sometimes pain and sores from damage to the blood vessel.
Clue: Skin Color
If a clot plugs up veins in your arms or legs, they may look bluish or reddish. Your skin also might stay discolored from the damage to blood vessels afterward. A PE in your lung could make your skin pale, bluish, and clammy.
Clue: Pain
Sudden, intense chest pain could mean the clot has broken off and caused a PE. Or it could be a sign that a clot in your artery gave you a heart attack. If so, you also might feel pain in your arm, especially on the left. A clot often hurts where it’s located, like in your lower leg, stomach, or under your throat.
Clue: Trouble Breathing
This is a serious symptom. It could be a sign that you have a clot in your lung or your heart. Your heart might also race, or you may feel sweaty or faint.
Location: Lung
A clot can give you different symptoms based on where it is. A PE can give you a fast pulse, chest pain, a bloody cough, and shortness of breath. Get to the hospital right away. You also might have no signs.
Location: Heart
This can feel similar to a clot in the lung. But if it’s a heart attack, you also might feel nausea and lightheadedness along with the chest pain. Either way, call 911 or get to a hospital right away.
Location: Brain
Pressure builds when blood can’t flow normally. A severe blockage sometimes can lead to a stroke. Without oxygen from the blood, your braLocation: Kidneys
Also called renal vein thrombosis, these clots usually grow slowly and mostly in adults. You probably won’t have symptoms unless a piece breaks off and lodges in your lung. Rarely, especially in children, it can happen fast and cause nausea, fever, and vomiting. You also might have blood in your pee and go less often.in cells start to die in minutes. A clot in your brain can cause headaches, confusion, seizures, speech problems, and weakness, sometimes on just one side of the body.
Location: Belly
Often, you have no symptoms at all. Blocked veins in the stomach or esophagus, a tube that connects it to your throat, can rip and leak blood. That can hurt a lot. You may poop or vomit blood, and your stool might look black and smell unusually bad.
Location: Kidneys
Also called renal vein thrombosis, these clots usually grow slowly and mostly in adults. You probably won’t have symptoms unless a piece breaks off and lodges in your lung. Rarely, especially in children, it can happen fast and cause nausea, fever, and vomiting. You also might have blood in your pee and go less often.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this article. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any medical organization or institution.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
Author Michael R. Grigsby, one of the news editors for LCTI, LLC. Michael is passionate about the outdoors, photography, strength sports, and powerlifting, and he is dedicated to bringing you accurate and insightful news reports on a wide range of topics. He loves connecting with readers and is always happy to answer any questions you may have. If you have any questions about this news article, please feel free to contact Michael at lctillc@outlook.com or by leaving a comment below.
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