Blood Clot Information
Blood clotting happens for a reason: It stops the bleeding when a blood vessel has been damaged. However, blood clots can develop in the absence of bleeding, causing potentially serious health consequences. When a clot blocks the flow of blood to a vital organ, tissue damage and death may result. Symptoms of blood clots may vary depending on where in the body the clot occurs. Treatment is with anticoagulant medications.
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Risk Factors
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Numerous factors increase the likelihood of blood clot formation, including a family history of blood clots, certain hormonal medications, heart attack, pregnancy, stroke, recent surgery, prolonged sitting, bed rest, recent history of a broken bone or traumatic injury, and obesity. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that people over age 65, people being treated for cancer, and anyone fitted with a medical port is also at an increased risk of developing a blood clot.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of a blood clot depend on what part of the body is affected. Warning signs that may indicate a blood clot include shortness of breath; sudden weakness of the face, leg, or arm; pressure or squeezing pain in the chest that lasts longer than three minutes; blurred or double vision; difficulty using or understanding speech; or pain in the chest that extends to the arm, shoulder, teeth, jaw or back. Other symptoms may include coughing; a red or swollen area in the arm or leg; intense throbbing or burning in the soles of the feet or palms of the hands; or a chronic headache.
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Treatment
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Initial treatment of a blood clot is typically with anticoagulant medication. These medications thin the blood to prevent it from clotting. A typical treatment will go like this: For the first week following diagnosis, an anticoagulant called heparin is given by injection. A second anticoagulant called warfarin is taken orally. After one week, the heparin is usually discontinued, but treatment with warfarin may continue for several more months.
Both heparin and warfarin may cause side effects, including an increased risk of serious bleeding. Anyone taking these medications should wear a medical alert bracelet and give treating physicians the medication details, including dosage information, before undergoing treatment or surgery for any other health condition.
Warning
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Blood clots that form in deep veins pose the greatest risk of death. These can break loose and travel through the circulatory system to other areas of the body. If this occurs, a potentially life-threatening complication may develop. When a blood clot travels to the heart, a heart attack can occur. If a clot reaches the brain and stops blood flow, it causes a stroke. Clots that travel to the lungs, called pulmonary embolisms, can stop breathing and lead to death.
Prevention
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Prevention of blood clots involves moving around as soon as possible after surgery, losing weight, getting plenty of exercise, and taking steps to reduce high blood pressure. Sitting for prolonged periods can also lead to blood clots, so it's a good idea to try to get up and stretch your legs when flying, taking a long car trip, or working at a desk for many hours. Quitting smoking, especially for those over age 35 years and for those taking hormonal medications, can significantly reduce the risk of blood clot formation. Wearing compression stockings, moving around during periods of inactivity and performing leg raises may also help decrease the risk of blood clots.
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