A blood clot can help you after an injury. But a clot that forms inside a vein or artery where it isn't needed can be dangerous. This page gives clear, practical info on causes, common signs, tests your doctor may use, and simple steps to lower your risk.
Clots happen when blood thickens and sticks together. You’re more likely to get one if you have recent surgery, long bed rest, cancer, pregnancy, or a family history of clotting disorders. Other common risks include older age, obesity, smoking, certain birth control pills or hormone therapy, and long flights or car trips without moving.
Some health problems—like heart disease or inflammatory conditions—add risk. Certain medicines, even some cancer drugs, can make clots more likely. If you know you’re at higher risk, tell your doctor before travel or procedures.
Clots often start in the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT). Look for a painful, swollen, warm, or red calf or thigh. If a clot breaks free and travels to the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE signs include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that gets worse with breathing, coughing up blood, lightheadedness, or a fast pulse. Any of those symptoms should trigger urgent care or a 911 call.
Other serious signs: sudden arm swelling, severe abdominal pain, or neurological symptoms like sudden weakness or slurred speech (which may signal stroke from a clot).
How do doctors check for clots? Expect a physical exam, a D-dimer blood test, and imaging. For leg clots that’s usually an ultrasound. For suspected lung clots, doctors often do a CT pulmonary angiogram. Tests help guide treatment fast.
Treatment aims to stop the clot from growing and prevent new ones. Anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) are the main option—heparin in hospitals, then oral medicines like warfarin or newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as rivaroxaban or dabigatran. In life-threatening cases, doctors may use clot-busting drugs, filters placed in the vena cava, or surgery.
If you take a blood thinner, follow dosing and monitoring instructions closely. For example, alcohol can raise bleeding risk with some anticoagulants. Talk to your prescriber about interactions and safe habits.
Simple prevention helps a lot. Move regularly during long trips, do ankle pumps when seated, stay hydrated, avoid smoking, keep a healthy weight, and wear compression stockings if recommended after surgery or for long travel. If you’ll have surgery, ask your surgeon about temporary blood thinner use or other precautions.
Got more questions about blood clots or a personal risk? Reach out to your healthcare provider — quick action can make a big difference.
As a blogger, I've recently been researching the role of blood clots in kidney disease. It turns out that these clots can seriously impact kidney function by disrupting the flow of blood and potentially causing damage. Additionally, kidney disease patients are at a higher risk of developing blood clots due to factors such as inflammation and an imbalance in clotting proteins. Therefore, it's crucial for those with kidney disease to work closely with their healthcare team to manage and prevent blood clots. By doing so, we can potentially improve kidney health and overall well-being.
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