Blood Clot Symptoms To Watch Out For

Blood clots occur when the blood thickens leading to the formation of semisolid clumps. Mostly they are harmless and occur to protect the body from bleeding too much (during any injury).

A blood clot formed in an artery or vein may lead to significant problems as the blood flow, past the clot, is decreased.

There are various factors which can lead to the formation of a blood clot such as:

• Prolonged immobility which mostly occurs during a car or a plane ride.
• Smokers are at risk of getting clot easily
• Medications such as birth control pills
• Surgeries especially the orthopedic procedures when the casts of splints are placed which demands immobility from the patient
• An inherited blood clotting disorders
• People with high cholesterol are at risk of blood clots
• Diabetics
• Trauma or local injury increases the risk of blood clots
• Heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and disturbed heart rhythm

Symptoms of a blood clot depend on their location in the body. Sometimes the blood clots formed do not produce any symptoms until they get dislodged and travel to some other site and sometimes the symptoms are actually to be alert about.

Symptoms Of Blood Clots In The Legs Include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

An Arterial Blood Clot Symptoms Include:

• Pain
• Pale color
• Numbness
• Loss of sensation
• Cold to touch limbs

Clots In Lungs Show The Following Symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Rapid pulse and breathing

A Blood Clot In The Artery Of The Brain Include:

• Loss of speech
• Loss of vision
• Dizziness
• Weakness in one side of the body

A Blood Clot In The Artery Show The Symptoms As:

• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Sweating

A Blood Clot In The Artery Supplying The Intestine Include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Blood in stool

The following blood clot symptoms should not be ignored as they are actually the ones to be treated ASAP.

In deep vein thrombosis the clot forms in the vein making it difficult for the blood to get back to the heart. The pressure build-up causes the fluid to spread in the tissue in the leg. This makes one leg look puffier than the other, below the knee.

It is a dangerous condition, with preventable mortality and morbidity ^{(1, 2)}.

• Reduced blood flow from the limbs to the heart leads to fluid build up in the tissues causing inflammation, warmth, and redness.
• The limb appears red and patchy. Also, a blood clot can be present without swelling or redness.

The condition causing an increase in heart rate can be pulmonary embolism when the clot has traveled to the lung. The patient might feel worked up even while not exercising. In such cases, the heart beats faster to get more oxygen pumped to the body.

The heart rate in such cases shows greater than 100 beats per minute.

Pulmonary embolism is a common and an acute disorder with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and management of the condition is key to a successful outcome ^(3,4)

• A patient while experiencing pulmonary embolism obviously feels anxious. This leads to dizziness and lightheadedness, which is often misdiagnosed in females.
• The condition is known as a panic attack with a sense of impending doom like you’re going to die.
• It is therefore important to explain to the doctor whatever symptoms you are feeling. It helps in better management.

In pulmonary embolism, there is a need to take a deep breath, which brings about a sharp and sudden pain in the chest.

It is different from the feeling of a heart attack where the patient feels dull ache or pressure as if a heavy load is kept on the chest.

A clot results in inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs causing the patient to cough up blood. The symptoms are also seen in pneumonia but are usually a symptom of inflammation after pulmonary embolism.

Blood clots are not easily spotted but there are certain symptoms which if present should be immediately bought under the notice of a healthcare physician for the early diagnosis and treatment and to prevent any complications.

Also Read:

• Causes of Blood Clot in Calf & its Symptoms, Treatment
• Effectiveness and Side Effects of Brilinta in Preventing the Formation of Blood Clot
• Does the Human Body Possess The Ability To Cure The Blood Clots?
• Can I Get in a Hot Tub With a Blood Clot?
• How Can You Tell If You Have a Blood Clot In Your Leg?
• What Foods to Eat to Prevent Blood Clots?|Beneficial Herbs to Get Rid of Blood Clots
• Can You Fly With A Blood Clot & What are the Precautions to be Taken?