BEING aware of the signs and symp
toms of blood clots can help
people seek treatment if they experience them.
Blood clots are semisolid clumps of blood that form in veins or arteries. A blood clot may be stationary (known as a thrombus) and block the flow of blood. Or, it might break free (known as an embolism) and travel through the body.
Keep reading for more information on the signs and symptoms of blood clots and how a doctor may treat them.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: Tenderness or pain in the leg can be a symptom of a blood clot. Certain people are at higher risk of developing a blood clot. According to the American Society of Hematology (ASH), factors that increase a person’s risk of developing blood clots include: taking oral contraceptives, immobility, for example, during long hospital stays, having obesity, smoking, being over the age of 60 years, family history of blood clots, pregnancy, previous central line placement, certain cancers, trauma, chronic inflammatory diseases, diabetes
People at risk for developing blood clots should be aware of the associated signs and symptoms. According to the American Blood Clot Association, symptoms vary depending on the type of blood clot.
DVT SYMPTOMS: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that typically occurs in a major vein in the leg, but it can also develop in the pelvis or arm. DVT may not cause any symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, they can include: warmth at the site of the clot, tenderness or pain in the affected leg or arm, swelling in the affected leg and foot or arm and hand, skin turning red or purple
Symptoms are often local to the blood clot and only affect one arm or leg. The National Blood Clot Alliance add that the pain or discomfort of this type of blood clot may be similar to the sensation of a pulled muscle.
PULMONARY EMBOLISM: A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot or part of a clot travels through the veins and ends up in the lungs. This condition can be deadly. According to the American Blood Clot Association, some common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include: sharp pain in the chest, particularly when taking a deep breath, a cough that produces blood, fever, dizziness, rapid pulse, sudden shortness of breath, unexplained sweating
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