All About Blood Clots
Your blood consists of different types of cells. When these cells stick together in a clump, a blood clot forms. Sometimes blood clots are helpful, like when you cut yourself and the blood clots at the wound to stop bleeding. But when blood clots form inside your veins and don’t break down, or if your body produces too many blood clots, it can be incredibly dangerous. Blood clots can prevent blood flow to key organs in your body, resulting in life-threatening situations.
There are two types of blood clots that are the most common.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins in your legs and sometimes your arms.
- Pulmonary embolism is a DVT clot (or part of one) that has traveled into your lungs.
When blood clots form in blood vessels in other parts of your body, you can experience a heart attack, kidney failure or a stroke.
Risk Factors for Blood Clots
About half of all blood clots occur right after or even during a hospital stay for surgery. If you know you are at risk for blood clots or have a history of blood clots, let your doctors know this before any medical procedure.
Other risk factors for blood clots include:
- Age
- Cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
- Certain genetic conditions
- COVID-19 diagnosis
- Diabetes
- Family history of blood clots
- Hormone replacement therapy and hormonal birth control use
- Long periods of seated travel, such as international flights
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots
The signs of a blood clot will vary depending on where in your body the clot is. Often, blood clots will have no signs until they cause a pulmonary embolism. Sometimes a blood clot in the leg will feel like a pulled muscle, while one in your lung may feel like someone is sitting on your chest, preventing you from breathing.
A great way to remember the signs of a blood clot is by using the acronym STOP (the) CLOT.
- Swelling in the leg or arm
- Tenderness or cramps in the leg
- Out of breath, or shortness of breath
- Passing out or feeling lightheaded
- Chest pain or back pain when breathing
- Leg discoloration, either a red or blue hue
- Overdrive, when your heart is racing
- Time to call 911
Other symptoms of DVT include your leg or arm feeling warm to the touch. If you are experiencing a pulmonary embolism, symptoms could also include coughing up blood.
How to Prevent Blood Clots
If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing a blood clot, it’s important to get medical treatment immediately. It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you think you are at high risk for blood clots.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is possible to prevent blood clots with the use of medications like blood thinners. Blood clots may also be prevented by:
- Exercising regularly
- Getting up and walking every hour, if possible, on flights or other travel that involves sitting for long periods
- Losing weight
- Wearing compression socks or tights
More to Read
- What Are Vascular Disease and Vascular Screenings?
- When to Seek Emergency Room Care for Cardiovascular Symptoms
- The Link Between Family History and Cardiovascular Health
- Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack: What’s the Difference?
Do you have blood clots and live in the Baltimore area? Find out how the Outpatient Anticoagulation Clinic at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center can help you today.
Medically reviewed by David Neschis, MD.
