What are the main causes of blood clots. How can you recognize the symptoms of a blood clot. Who is at highest risk for developing blood clots. What are the most effective treatments for blood clots. How can you prevent blood clots from forming.

Understanding Blood Clots: Formation and Types

Blood clots are gel-like collections of blood that form when blood changes from liquid to partially solid. While clotting is a normal bodily function to prevent excessive bleeding from injuries, clots that form inappropriately or fail to dissolve can pose serious health risks.

There are two main types of blood clots:

• Arterial clots: Form in arteries
• Venous clots: Form in veins

A blood clot that forms where it shouldn’t is called a thrombus. These clots can either remain stationary (thrombosis) or move through the body (embolism or thromboembolism). Moving clots are particularly dangerous.

How do blood clots form?

Blood clots typically form in response to blood vessel injury. The process involves:

1. Platelets (blood cells) gathering at the injury site
2. Fibrin (a string-like substance) combining with platelets
3. Formation of a platelet plug to stop bleeding

Identifying High-Risk Blood Clots

While any blood clot can be serious, certain types pose greater health risks:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Clots in larger veins, particularly in the legs
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A DVT that travels to the lungs
• Stroke: Arterial clots in the brain
• Heart Attack: Clots in the heart arteries
• Abdominal Blood Clots: Can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting

DVTs and PEs are particularly concerning, causing up to 100,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Are menstrual blood clots dangerous?

Blood clots observed during menstruation are not typically cause for concern and do not pose the same risks as clots forming in blood vessels.

Recognizing Blood Clot Symptoms

Symptoms of blood clots vary depending on their location in the body. Some common signs include:

Abdominal Blood Clots

• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Arm or Leg Blood Clots

• Pain or tenderness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth in the affected area

Brain Blood Clots (Stroke)

• Difficulty speaking
• Vision problems
• Inability to move or feel one side of the body
• Seizures (in some cases)

Heart or Lung Blood Clots

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Pain radiating down the left arm (heart attack)
• Coughing up blood (pulmonary embolism)

It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a blood clot, as prompt treatment can be life-saving.

Identifying Risk Factors for Blood Clots

Certain factors can increase an individual’s risk of developing blood clots:

Age-related Risks

• Being over 65 years old
• Extended hospital stays
• Recent surgery or trauma

Medical Conditions

• Cancer
• Chronic inflammatory diseases
• Heart and lung diseases
• Hormonal birth control use
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth
• Personal or family history of blood clots

Lifestyle Factors

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take preventive measures and seek timely medical attention when necessary.

Diagnosing Blood Clots: Tests and Procedures

Accurate diagnosis of blood clots is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers may use various tests to confirm the presence of a clot or rule out other conditions:

Blood Tests

While blood tests alone cannot definitively diagnose a clot, they can help rule out the possibility in some cases. These tests may include:

• D-dimer test: Measures a substance released when a blood clot breaks down
• Complete blood count (CBC): Checks for abnormalities in blood cells
• Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT): Assess blood clotting function

Imaging Tests

Various imaging techniques can provide visual confirmation of blood clots:

• Ultrasound: Offers a clear view of veins and blood flow, particularly useful for detecting DVTs in the legs
• CT scan: Can identify clots in the head, abdomen, or chest
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): Provides detailed images of blood vessels
• V/Q scan: Tests circulation of air and blood in the lungs, helpful in diagnosing pulmonary embolisms

When should you seek medical attention for suspected blood clots?

If you experience any symptoms suggestive of a blood clot, such as unexplained swelling, pain, or shortness of breath, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and potentially save lives.

Effective Treatments for Blood Clots

The treatment of blood clots aims to prevent the clot from growing, breaking loose, and causing further complications. The specific treatment approach depends on the location and severity of the clot.

Medications

Several types of medications are used to treat blood clots:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners): These drugs prevent new clots from forming and existing clots from growing. Common anticoagulants include:
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin
  • Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran
• Thrombolytics: These powerful drugs can dissolve existing clots but are typically reserved for life-threatening situations due to their potential side effects.

Mechanical Thrombectomy

In some cases, particularly for large clots or when medications are contraindicated, a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy may be performed. This involves using specialized devices to physically remove the clot from the blood vessel.

Vena Cava Filters

For patients who cannot take blood thinners, a small device called an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter may be inserted into the large vein in the abdomen. This filter can catch blood clots before they reach the lungs, preventing pulmonary embolisms.

How long does it take to recover from a blood clot?

Recovery time varies depending on the size and location of the clot, as well as the individual’s overall health. Some people may feel better within days or weeks, while others may experience symptoms for months. It’s crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and complete the full course of prescribed treatment.

Preventing Blood Clots: Strategies for Reducing Risk

While not all blood clots can be prevented, there are several strategies individuals can employ to reduce their risk:

Lifestyle Modifications

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid prolonged periods of immobility, especially during long trips

Medical Precautions

• Follow medication regimens as prescribed by your healthcare provider
• Wear compression stockings if recommended
• Discuss birth control options with your doctor, especially if you have other risk factors
• Take necessary precautions before and after surgeries or hospitalizations

What exercises can help prevent blood clots?

Regular physical activity is crucial in preventing blood clots. Some beneficial exercises include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Leg raises and ankle rotations (especially during long periods of sitting)

Even small amounts of movement can make a significant difference in reducing clot risk.

Living with Blood Clots: Long-term Management and Considerations

For individuals who have experienced a blood clot, long-term management is crucial to prevent recurrence and manage potential complications.

Ongoing Medical Care

• Regular check-ups with healthcare providers
• Monitoring of anticoagulation therapy
• Addressing any underlying conditions that may contribute to clot formation

Lifestyle Adjustments

Living with a history of blood clots may require certain lifestyle changes:

• Maintaining a consistent diet if on warfarin therapy
• Being cautious with activities that may increase bleeding risk
• Wearing medical alert jewelry to inform others of your condition

Can you live a normal life after experiencing a blood clot?

Many people who have had a blood clot can return to their normal activities after treatment. However, it’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations and make necessary lifestyle adjustments to reduce the risk of future clots.

Emotional and Psychological Support

Experiencing a blood clot can be emotionally challenging. Some individuals may benefit from:

• Joining support groups
• Seeking counseling or therapy
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga

Remember, with proper management and care, many people successfully navigate life after a blood clot and maintain good health.

Advances in Blood Clot Research and Treatment

The field of blood clot prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is continually evolving. Recent advancements and ongoing research offer hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for those at risk of or living with blood clots.

New Anticoagulants

The development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has revolutionized blood clot treatment. These medications offer several advantages over traditional anticoagulants like warfarin:

• Fewer food and drug interactions
• More predictable anticoagulant effects
• No need for regular blood monitoring

Improved Diagnostic Tools

Researchers are working on developing more accurate and efficient diagnostic methods for blood clots, including:

• Advanced imaging techniques
• Blood-based biomarkers
• Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis

Targeted Therapies

Ongoing research is exploring more targeted approaches to treating blood clots, aiming to reduce side effects and improve efficacy. These include:

• Gene therapy
• Nanomedicine approaches
• Personalized treatment based on genetic factors

What promising new treatments for blood clots are on the horizon?

While many potential treatments are still in the research phase, some promising avenues include:

• Novel anticoagulants with reduced bleeding risk
• Improved thrombolytic agents for faster clot dissolution
• Targeted drug delivery systems to minimize systemic effects

As research progresses, these innovations may lead to more effective and safer treatments for blood clots in the future.

In conclusion, understanding blood clots – their causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments – is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health. By staying informed, recognizing warning signs, and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and manage blood clots effectively. As medical research continues to advance, we can look forward to even better strategies for combating this significant health concern.

Blood Clots: Risks, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention

Overview

What is a blood clot?

Blood clots are gel-like collections of blood that form in your veins or arteries when blood changes from liquid to partially solid. Clotting is a normal function that stops your body from bleeding too much when you get hurt. However, blood clots that form in some places and don’t dissolve on their own can be dangerous to your health.

Normally, a blood clots start as a response to injury of a blood vessel. At first, the blood stays in one place. Two substances — platelets (a type of blood cell) and fibrin (a firm string-like substance) — combine to form what is called a platelet plug to stop up the cut or hole.

When a blood clot forms where it should not have developed, it is called a thrombus. A blood clot is also called a thrombus. The clot may stay in one spot (called thrombosis) or move through the body (called embolism or thromboembolism). The clots that move are especially dangerous. Blood clots can form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots).

The symptoms of a blood clot, and the recommended treatment, depend on where a clot forms in your body and how much damage it could cause. Knowing the most common blood clot signs and risk factors can help you spot or even prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.

Which blood clots pose the most health risk?

Any blood clots that form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots) can be serious. You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect a blood clot.

A clot that forms in one of your body’s larger veins is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A stationary blood clot, or one that stays in place, may not hurt you. A blood clot that dislodges and begins moving through the bloodstream can be harmful.

One of the most pressing blood clot concerns is when a DVT makes its way to your lungs and gets stuck. This condition, called pulmonary embolism (PE), can stop blood from flowing and the results can be very serious, even fatal. In fact, as many as 100,000 people in the United States die from DVTs and PEs every year.

Arterial clots in the brain are called strokes. Clots can form in the heart arteries, causing heart attacks. Blood clots can also form in the abdominal blood vessels, causing pain and/or nausea and vomiting.

You don’t need to be worried about blood clots that you might see during your period causing these kinds of symptoms or effects.

Who is most at risk for blood clots?

Some risk factors put certain people at higher risk for developing a blood clot.

Blood clots become more common as people get older, especially when they are over age 65. Long hospital stays, surgeries and trauma may significantly increase your risk of blood clots.

Other factors can increase your risk to a lesser degree. You might be more at risk if you:

Some factors are based on lifestyle choices. Risks might be higher if you:

• Are overweight or obese.
• Live a sedentary (or inactive) lifestyle.
• Smoke cigarettes.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the most common symptoms of a blood clot?

Blood clot symptoms will depend on where a clot forms in your body. Some people may experience no symptoms at all. Blood clots can occur in the:

• Abdomen: Blood clots in the belly area can cause pain or nausea and vomiting.
• Arms or legs: A blood clot in the leg or arm may feel painful or tender to the touch. Swelling, redness and warmth are other common signs of blood clots.
• Brain: Blood clots in the brain (strokes) can cause a range of symptoms, depending which part of the brain they affect. These clots may cause problems speaking or seeing, inability to move or feel one side of your body and sometimes seizure.
• Heart or lungs: A blood clot in the heart will cause symptoms of a heart attack such as crushing chest pain, sweating, pain that travels down the left arm, and/or shortness of breath. A blood clot in the lungs can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sometimes can lead to coughing up blood.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are blood clots diagnosed?

Blood clot symptoms can mimic other health conditions. Doctors use a variety of tests to detect blood clots and/or rule out other causes. If your doctor suspects a blood clot, he or she may recommend:

• Blood tests can, in some cases, be used to rule out a blood clot.
• Ultrasound provides a clear view of your veins and blood flow.
• CT scan of the head, abdomen, or chest, may be used to confirm that you have a blood clot. This imaging test can help rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an imaging test similar to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. An MRA looks specifically at blood vessels.
• V/Q scans test circulation of air and blood in the lungs.

Management and Treatment

How are blood clots treated?

The goal in treating blood clots, especially DVTs, is to prevent the blood clot from getting larger or breaking loose. Treatment can reduce your chances of developing more blood clots in the future.

Treatment depends on where the blood clot is and how likely it is to harm you. Your doctor might recommend:

• Medication: Anticoagulants, also called blood thinners, help prevent blood clots from forming. For life-threatening blood clots, drugs called thrombolytics can dissolve clots that are already formed.
• Compression stockings: These tight-fitting stockings provide pressure to help reduce leg swelling or prevent blood clots from forming.
• Surgery: In a catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure, specialists direct a catheter (a long tube) to the blood clot. The catheter delivers medication directly to the clot to help it dissolve. In thrombectomy surgery, doctors use special instruments to carefully remove a blood clot.
• Stents: Doctors may decide if a stent is necessary to keep a blood vessel open.
• Vena cava filters: In some cases, a person might be unable to take blood thinners, and a filter is put into the inferior vena cava (the body’s largest vein) to catch blood clots before they can travel to the lungs.

Prevention

How can you prevent blood clots?

You can reduce your risk of blood clots by:

• Enjoying regular physical activity.
• Do not smoke.
• Eating a healthy diet and making sure that you stay hydrated.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Controlling medical problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Make sure you are up to date with cancer screening.

Living With

When should you call the doctor about a blood clot?

If you think you have a blood clot, you go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing or problems seeing or speaking that come on suddenly.

What should you know about living with a higher risk of blood clots or if you have already had a blood clot?

If you are concerned about your blood clot risk in certain situations, such as when you are traveling or after a surgery, your doctor can give you more information on other habits that can help.

If you are able to walk around while you are traveling, you should make sure you do so at least once every couple of hours. If you are traveling by air, your provider might suggest you wear compression stockings. You can do exercises that move your feet and legs while you are sitting.

If you have a blood clot, your provider might suggest that you take anticoagulants for a certain period of time. Some people may need to take them for life. Make sure you understand how you should take this medication and what types of interactions you should avoid. It is important to have regular follow with a provider who is specifically discussing blood thinner medication with you.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A blood clot can be serious, even fatal. If you know you are at risk for blood clots, you can help yourself by moving around, by eating well and maintaining a healthy weight and following your healthcare provider’s suggestions on medication and lifestyle changes. (For instance, if you smoke, stop.)

Blood Clots: Risks, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention

Overview

What is a blood clot?

Blood clots are gel-like collections of blood that form in your veins or arteries when blood changes from liquid to partially solid. Clotting is a normal function that stops your body from bleeding too much when you get hurt. However, blood clots that form in some places and don’t dissolve on their own can be dangerous to your health.

Normally, a blood clots start as a response to injury of a blood vessel. At first, the blood stays in one place. Two substances — platelets (a type of blood cell) and fibrin (a firm string-like substance) — combine to form what is called a platelet plug to stop up the cut or hole.

When a blood clot forms where it should not have developed, it is called a thrombus. A blood clot is also called a thrombus. The clot may stay in one spot (called thrombosis) or move through the body (called embolism or thromboembolism). The clots that move are especially dangerous. Blood clots can form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots).

The symptoms of a blood clot, and the recommended treatment, depend on where a clot forms in your body and how much damage it could cause. Knowing the most common blood clot signs and risk factors can help you spot or even prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.

Which blood clots pose the most health risk?

Any blood clots that form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots) can be serious. You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect a blood clot.

A clot that forms in one of your body’s larger veins is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A stationary blood clot, or one that stays in place, may not hurt you. A blood clot that dislodges and begins moving through the bloodstream can be harmful.

One of the most pressing blood clot concerns is when a DVT makes its way to your lungs and gets stuck. This condition, called pulmonary embolism (PE), can stop blood from flowing and the results can be very serious, even fatal. In fact, as many as 100,000 people in the United States die from DVTs and PEs every year.

Arterial clots in the brain are called strokes. Clots can form in the heart arteries, causing heart attacks. Blood clots can also form in the abdominal blood vessels, causing pain and/or nausea and vomiting.

You don’t need to be worried about blood clots that you might see during your period causing these kinds of symptoms or effects.

Who is most at risk for blood clots?

Some risk factors put certain people at higher risk for developing a blood clot.

Blood clots become more common as people get older, especially when they are over age 65. Long hospital stays, surgeries and trauma may significantly increase your risk of blood clots.

Other factors can increase your risk to a lesser degree. You might be more at risk if you:

Some factors are based on lifestyle choices. Risks might be higher if you:

• Are overweight or obese.
• Live a sedentary (or inactive) lifestyle.
• Smoke cigarettes.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the most common symptoms of a blood clot?

Blood clot symptoms will depend on where a clot forms in your body. Some people may experience no symptoms at all. Blood clots can occur in the:

• Abdomen: Blood clots in the belly area can cause pain or nausea and vomiting.
• Arms or legs: A blood clot in the leg or arm may feel painful or tender to the touch. Swelling, redness and warmth are other common signs of blood clots.
• Brain: Blood clots in the brain (strokes) can cause a range of symptoms, depending which part of the brain they affect. These clots may cause problems speaking or seeing, inability to move or feel one side of your body and sometimes seizure.
• Heart or lungs: A blood clot in the heart will cause symptoms of a heart attack such as crushing chest pain, sweating, pain that travels down the left arm, and/or shortness of breath. A blood clot in the lungs can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sometimes can lead to coughing up blood.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are blood clots diagnosed?

Blood clot symptoms can mimic other health conditions. Doctors use a variety of tests to detect blood clots and/or rule out other causes. If your doctor suspects a blood clot, he or she may recommend:

• Blood tests can, in some cases, be used to rule out a blood clot.
• Ultrasound provides a clear view of your veins and blood flow.
• CT scan of the head, abdomen, or chest, may be used to confirm that you have a blood clot. This imaging test can help rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an imaging test similar to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. An MRA looks specifically at blood vessels.
• V/Q scans test circulation of air and blood in the lungs.

Management and Treatment

How are blood clots treated?

The goal in treating blood clots, especially DVTs, is to prevent the blood clot from getting larger or breaking loose. Treatment can reduce your chances of developing more blood clots in the future.

Treatment depends on where the blood clot is and how likely it is to harm you. Your doctor might recommend:

• Medication: Anticoagulants, also called blood thinners, help prevent blood clots from forming. For life-threatening blood clots, drugs called thrombolytics can dissolve clots that are already formed.
• Compression stockings: These tight-fitting stockings provide pressure to help reduce leg swelling or prevent blood clots from forming.
• Surgery: In a catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure, specialists direct a catheter (a long tube) to the blood clot. The catheter delivers medication directly to the clot to help it dissolve. In thrombectomy surgery, doctors use special instruments to carefully remove a blood clot.
• Stents: Doctors may decide if a stent is necessary to keep a blood vessel open.
• Vena cava filters: In some cases, a person might be unable to take blood thinners, and a filter is put into the inferior vena cava (the body’s largest vein) to catch blood clots before they can travel to the lungs.

Prevention

How can you prevent blood clots?

You can reduce your risk of blood clots by:

• Enjoying regular physical activity.
• Do not smoke.
• Eating a healthy diet and making sure that you stay hydrated.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Controlling medical problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Make sure you are up to date with cancer screening.

Living With

When should you call the doctor about a blood clot?

If you think you have a blood clot, you go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing or problems seeing or speaking that come on suddenly.

What should you know about living with a higher risk of blood clots or if you have already had a blood clot?

If you are concerned about your blood clot risk in certain situations, such as when you are traveling or after a surgery, your doctor can give you more information on other habits that can help.

If you are able to walk around while you are traveling, you should make sure you do so at least once every couple of hours. If you are traveling by air, your provider might suggest you wear compression stockings. You can do exercises that move your feet and legs while you are sitting.

If you have a blood clot, your provider might suggest that you take anticoagulants for a certain period of time. Some people may need to take them for life. Make sure you understand how you should take this medication and what types of interactions you should avoid. It is important to have regular follow with a provider who is specifically discussing blood thinner medication with you.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A blood clot can be serious, even fatal. If you know you are at risk for blood clots, you can help yourself by moving around, by eating well and maintaining a healthy weight and following your healthcare provider’s suggestions on medication and lifestyle changes. (For instance, if you smoke, stop.)

Blood Clots: Risks, Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention

Overview

What is a blood clot?

Blood clots are gel-like collections of blood that form in your veins or arteries when blood changes from liquid to partially solid. Clotting is a normal function that stops your body from bleeding too much when you get hurt. However, blood clots that form in some places and don’t dissolve on their own can be dangerous to your health.

Normally, a blood clots start as a response to injury of a blood vessel. At first, the blood stays in one place. Two substances — platelets (a type of blood cell) and fibrin (a firm string-like substance) — combine to form what is called a platelet plug to stop up the cut or hole.

When a blood clot forms where it should not have developed, it is called a thrombus. A blood clot is also called a thrombus. The clot may stay in one spot (called thrombosis) or move through the body (called embolism or thromboembolism). The clots that move are especially dangerous. Blood clots can form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots).

The symptoms of a blood clot, and the recommended treatment, depend on where a clot forms in your body and how much damage it could cause. Knowing the most common blood clot signs and risk factors can help you spot or even prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.

Which blood clots pose the most health risk?

Any blood clots that form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots) can be serious. You should call your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect a blood clot.

A clot that forms in one of your body’s larger veins is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A stationary blood clot, or one that stays in place, may not hurt you. A blood clot that dislodges and begins moving through the bloodstream can be harmful.

One of the most pressing blood clot concerns is when a DVT makes its way to your lungs and gets stuck. This condition, called pulmonary embolism (PE), can stop blood from flowing and the results can be very serious, even fatal. In fact, as many as 100,000 people in the United States die from DVTs and PEs every year.

Arterial clots in the brain are called strokes. Clots can form in the heart arteries, causing heart attacks. Blood clots can also form in the abdominal blood vessels, causing pain and/or nausea and vomiting.

You don’t need to be worried about blood clots that you might see during your period causing these kinds of symptoms or effects.

Who is most at risk for blood clots?

Some risk factors put certain people at higher risk for developing a blood clot.

Blood clots become more common as people get older, especially when they are over age 65. Long hospital stays, surgeries and trauma may significantly increase your risk of blood clots.

Other factors can increase your risk to a lesser degree. You might be more at risk if you:

Some factors are based on lifestyle choices. Risks might be higher if you:

• Are overweight or obese.
• Live a sedentary (or inactive) lifestyle.
• Smoke cigarettes.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the most common symptoms of a blood clot?

Blood clot symptoms will depend on where a clot forms in your body. Some people may experience no symptoms at all. Blood clots can occur in the:

• Abdomen: Blood clots in the belly area can cause pain or nausea and vomiting.
• Arms or legs: A blood clot in the leg or arm may feel painful or tender to the touch. Swelling, redness and warmth are other common signs of blood clots.
• Brain: Blood clots in the brain (strokes) can cause a range of symptoms, depending which part of the brain they affect. These clots may cause problems speaking or seeing, inability to move or feel one side of your body and sometimes seizure.
• Heart or lungs: A blood clot in the heart will cause symptoms of a heart attack such as crushing chest pain, sweating, pain that travels down the left arm, and/or shortness of breath. A blood clot in the lungs can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sometimes can lead to coughing up blood.

Diagnosis and Tests

How are blood clots diagnosed?

Blood clot symptoms can mimic other health conditions. Doctors use a variety of tests to detect blood clots and/or rule out other causes. If your doctor suspects a blood clot, he or she may recommend:

• Blood tests can, in some cases, be used to rule out a blood clot.
• Ultrasound provides a clear view of your veins and blood flow.
• CT scan of the head, abdomen, or chest, may be used to confirm that you have a blood clot. This imaging test can help rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an imaging test similar to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. An MRA looks specifically at blood vessels.
• V/Q scans test circulation of air and blood in the lungs.

Management and Treatment

How are blood clots treated?

The goal in treating blood clots, especially DVTs, is to prevent the blood clot from getting larger or breaking loose. Treatment can reduce your chances of developing more blood clots in the future.

Treatment depends on where the blood clot is and how likely it is to harm you. Your doctor might recommend:

• Medication: Anticoagulants, also called blood thinners, help prevent blood clots from forming. For life-threatening blood clots, drugs called thrombolytics can dissolve clots that are already formed.
• Compression stockings: These tight-fitting stockings provide pressure to help reduce leg swelling or prevent blood clots from forming.
• Surgery: In a catheter-directed thrombolysis procedure, specialists direct a catheter (a long tube) to the blood clot. The catheter delivers medication directly to the clot to help it dissolve. In thrombectomy surgery, doctors use special instruments to carefully remove a blood clot.
• Stents: Doctors may decide if a stent is necessary to keep a blood vessel open.
• Vena cava filters: In some cases, a person might be unable to take blood thinners, and a filter is put into the inferior vena cava (the body’s largest vein) to catch blood clots before they can travel to the lungs.

Prevention

How can you prevent blood clots?

You can reduce your risk of blood clots by:

• Enjoying regular physical activity.
• Do not smoke.
• Eating a healthy diet and making sure that you stay hydrated.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Controlling medical problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Make sure you are up to date with cancer screening.

Living With

When should you call the doctor about a blood clot?

If you think you have a blood clot, you go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing or problems seeing or speaking that come on suddenly.

What should you know about living with a higher risk of blood clots or if you have already had a blood clot?

If you are concerned about your blood clot risk in certain situations, such as when you are traveling or after a surgery, your doctor can give you more information on other habits that can help.

If you are able to walk around while you are traveling, you should make sure you do so at least once every couple of hours. If you are traveling by air, your provider might suggest you wear compression stockings. You can do exercises that move your feet and legs while you are sitting.

If you have a blood clot, your provider might suggest that you take anticoagulants for a certain period of time. Some people may need to take them for life. Make sure you understand how you should take this medication and what types of interactions you should avoid. It is important to have regular follow with a provider who is specifically discussing blood thinner medication with you.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

A blood clot can be serious, even fatal. If you know you are at risk for blood clots, you can help yourself by moving around, by eating well and maintaining a healthy weight and following your healthcare provider’s suggestions on medication and lifestyle changes. (For instance, if you smoke, stop.)

Surgical Thrombectomy | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is surgical thrombectomy?

Surgical thrombectomy is a type of surgery to remove a blood clot from inside an artery or vein.

Normally, blood flows freely through your blood vessels, arteries, and veins. Your arteries carry blood with oxygen and nutrients to your body. Yours veins carry waste products back to the heart. In some cases, the blood thickens and clumps to form a blood clot in one of these vessels. This can block the blood flow. When blood flow is blocked, nearby tissues can be damaged.

During a surgical thrombectomy, a surgeon makes an incision into a blood vessel. The clot is removed, and the blood vessel is repaired. This restores blood flow. In some cases, a balloon or other device may be put in the blood vessel to help keep it open.

Why might I need surgical thrombectomy?

You might need surgical thrombectomy if you have a blood clot in an artery or vein. This surgery is often needed for a blood clot in an arm or leg. In some cases, it may also be needed for a blood clot in an organ or other part of the body.

A blood clot can lead to many possible problems, such as:

• Swelling, pain, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg

• A cold feeling in the area

• Muscle pain in the area

• Enlarged veins (postthrombotic syndrome)

• Death of tissue

• Loss of function of an organ

• Blood clot moving to the lung that causes breathing trouble and risk of death (pulmonary embolism)

Your doctor might advise surgical thrombectomy if you have a very large clot. Or, he or she may advise surgery if your blood clot is causing severe tissue injury. Surgery is not the only kind of treatment for a blood clot. Most people with blood clots are treated with medicines called blood thinners. These are given as an injection or through an IV. They can prevent a blood clot from getting larger.

All treatments for blood clots have their own risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if surgical thrombectomy might be a good choice for you. You might find it helpful to talk to a doctor who specializes in blood vessel problems. This type of doctor is called a vascular specialist.

What are the risks of surgical thrombectomy?

All surgery has risks. The risks of surgical thrombectomy include:

There is also a risk that your blood clot will form again. Your own risks may vary depending on your general health and how your blood clots. They may also vary depending on how long you’ve had the clot, and where it is in your body. Talk with your doctor about all your concerns and questions.

How do I prepare for a surgical thrombectomy?

Before the procedure, you will be asked to sign an Informed Consent form. This gives your permission to do the procedure. It also states that you fully understand the risks and benefits of the procedure and have had all of your questions answered. Before you sign, be sure all of your questions have been answered to your satisfaction.

Talk with your doctor how to prepare for your surgery. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements. You may need to stop taking some medicines ahead of time, such as blood thinners. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop before your surgery. Smoking can delay healing. Talk with your doctor if you need help to stop smoking.

Before the procedure, make sure you tell the medical team if you:

• Have any allergies

• Have had any recent changes in your health, such as fever

• Are pregnant or could be pregnant

• Have ever had a problem with anesthesia

You may need some tests before the procedure, such as:

• Ultrasound, to measure blood flow in the leg and help diagnose the blood clot

• Venogram (for a vein clot) or arteriogram (for an artery clot), to get an image of your vessels

• Computed tomography (CT) scan, to get more information about the blood clot

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if more information is needed

• Blood tests, to check your overall health

Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery.

What happens during a surgical thrombectomy?

Talk with your doctor about what to expect during the surgery. The details will vary depending on the type of your surgery. They will also vary depending on what part of the body is treated. A typical surgical thrombectomy may go like this:

• An IV will be put in your arm or hand before the procedure starts. You’ll receive medicines through this IV. You may be given a blood thinner such as heparin. This is to help prevent new blood clots forming during the surgery.

• You’ll also be given anesthesia through the IV line. This will prevent pain and make you sleep during the surgery. Or, you may be given sedation. This will make you relaxed and sleepy during surgery.

• Hair in the area of your surgery may be removed. The area may be numbed with a local anesthesia.

• The surgeon may use continuous X-ray images while the surgery is being done.

• The doctor will make a cut in the area above your blood clot. He or she will open the blood vessel and take out the clot.

• In some cases, a balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) will be used in the blood vessel to remove any part of the clot that remains. A stent may be put in the blood vessel to help keep it open.

• Your doctor will close and repair the blood vessel. This will then restore blood flow.

• The incision on your skin will be closed and bandaged.

What happens after a surgical thrombectomy?

After the procedure, you will spend several hours in a recovery room. Your healthcare team will watch your vital signs, such as your heart rate and breathing. You may need to stay at the hospital for a day or more, depending on your condition. Your doctor will tell you more about what to expect.

After the procedure, you may need to take medicine for a short time to help prevent blood clots. Your doctor will let you know about any other changes in your medicine. You can take pain medicine if you need it. Ask your doctor which to take.

Your healthcare provider will likely advise you to get back on your feet soon after the treatment. You may need to wear compression stockings. This is to help prevent the clot from forming again. It can also help prevent a new one from forming.

You should stop smoking. This will lower your risks of blood clots forming in the future. Talk with your doctor if you need help to quit smoking.

Your doctor will keep track of your health after you go home. You’ll have follow-up appointments. Your doctor may check on your blood vessels with an imaging test called a venogram. Make sure to keep all of your follow-up appointments. This will help your doctor can keep track of your progress.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Swelling or pain that gets worse

• Fluid leaking from the incision

• Fever

• Bleeding anywhere on your body

• Weakness, pain, or numbness in the surgery area

Follow all of your doctor’s instructions. This includes any advice about medicines, exercise, and wound care.

Next steps

Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:

• The name of the test or procedure

• The reason you are having the test or procedure

• What results to expect and what they mean

• The risks and benefits of the test or procedure

• What the possible side effects or complications are

• When and where you are to have the test or procedure

• Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are

• What would  happen if you did not have the test or procedure

• Any alternative tests or procedures to think about

• When and how will you get the results

• Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems

• How much will you have to pay for the test or procedure

Interventional Therapies to Treat Blood Clots and Their Complications

Home / Interventional Therapies to Treat Blood Clots and Their Complications

The Potential Impact of Deep Vein Thrombosis

A blood clot in one of the large veins, usually in a person’s leg or arm, is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. When a DVT forms, it can partially or completely block the flow of blood through the vein.

If a DVT is not treated, it can move or break off and travel to the lungs. A blood clot in the lungs – called a pulmonary embolism or PE – is life-threatening.

In addition, when a clot in the deep veins is very extensive or does not dissolve, it can result in a chronic or long-lasting condition called post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), which causes chronic swelling and pain, discoloration of the affected arm or leg, skin ulcers, and other long-term complications. Learn more about PTS here.

Blood Clot Treatment: Deep Vein Thrombosis

Standard DVT Treatment

There are numerous options for treating blood clots, depending on a person’s individual blood clot diagnosis or medical need. The initial treatments for DVT commonly include anticoagulant medications, referred to as “blood thinners,” and compression stockings.

These types of treatments help to prevent blood clots in the deep veins from growing larger or moving to the lungs and causing a life-threatening PE. While these treatments don’t remove or break down clots, they can keep clots from growing and stop new ones from forming, which provides the body with the time it needs to gradually dissolve existing blood clots.

Interventional DVT Treatment Options

There are times, however, when more aggressive treatment is needed, such as when a DVT is very large, blocks major veins, or produces severe pain and swelling of the limb. With cases such as these, interventional treatment or minimally invasive surgery may sometimes be helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms. These interventional treatments also can be used when a person diagnosed with a DVT does not respond well to anticoagulation therapy or compression stockings.

Interventional treatments for DVT – which are performed in a hospital setting by vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists – are not without risk. They should be considered on a case-by-case basis as a means to reduce early DVT symptoms or reduce the potential severity of PTS.  People diagnosed with DVT may be a candidate for interventional treatment when they have:

• A large clot
• A clot at or above the groin
• DVT symptoms (typically pain and/or swelling) are significant, started recently, and are not improving with the initial use of blood-thinning drugs
• A low risk for bleeding

If you have been diagnosed with a DVT, it is important that you follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, and take anticoagulation medication and wear compression stockings as prescribed.
If you learn that you have a large clot, or experience severe symptoms when you are diagnosed, you can ask your healthcare provider if you might be a good candidate for interventional treatment.

Understanding Interventional DVT Treatment Options

There are different interventional procedures that may help relieve DVT symptoms and reduce a person’s risk for long-term complications, such as PTS.

Thrombolytic therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis

For people diagnosed with a recently-formed, very large DVT, their healthcare provider may suggest an interventional treatment called catheter-directed thrombolysis, which is also known as clot-busting treatment. Such a clot-busting treatment or procedure uses medications to dissolve clots quickly and restore blood flow.*

This clot busting treatment can be done by various methods: The clot-busting drug can be slowly infused into the blood clot, or it can be quickly delivered into the blood clot by a catheter-based device.

With each treatment, a physician makes a small incision to access a leg or other vein under ultrasound guidance. Guided by live X-rays, a catheter or thin plastic tube is inserted through the vein to the DVT site.

Thrombectomy, Angioplasty, Stent Placement

In addition, a physician may sometimes use other clot removal treatments, with or without the use of thrombolytic or clot-busting therapy, including:

• Mechanical thrombectomy (clot removal) devices to mechanically break up the clot into smaller pieces and remove the clot pieces
• Angioplasty, in which a balloon is inserted into the vein containing the DVT and expanded in order to open up blood flow through the vein
• Placement of a stent, which is a tiny, expandable tube that props open the vein and prevents it from narrowing again*

The medical care team will monitor the effectiveness of these clot removal treatments by using imaging, such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and/or venogram (an x-ray test that involves injecting contrast material into a vein to show how blood flows through veins).

Angioplasty and stents also can be used to treat people with a chronic or older DVT and severe PTS.  By opening up the vein, the angioplasty and stents are believed to reduce congestion and improve symptoms.

Potential Risk Factors

The risks associated with the interventional treatment of blood clots include:

• Infection
• Damage to the vein at the site of the blood clot
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Detaching of a stent
• Excess bleeding that can be severe enough to cause death, which is of greatest concern if clot-busting drugs are used
• The blood clot can form again

A person who undergoes any of these interventional treatments should be aware of these risks and contact the physician who performed the procedure if they experience:

• Swelling or pain that gets worse
• Fluid or blood leaking from the incision site
• Fever
• Bleeding anywhere on the body
• Weakness, pain, or numbness in the area of the incision

Filters

For people diagnosed with a DVT who are unable to take anticoagulation therapies, a filter may be placed into the inferior vena cava (IVC), which is the large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the heart. The filter is used to catch blood clots that move from the lower body and prevent them from entering the lungs and causing a dangerous PE. Some filters are retrievable and some are permanently implanted.

You may be a potential candidate for an IVC filter if you are diagnosed with a DVT or PE and any of the following criteria apply to you:

• Unable to take blood thinners
• Complications, such as bleeding due to anticoagulant therapy
• Recurrent PE despite anticoagulation therapy
• Undergoing chest surgery to remove a clot (pulmonary embolectomy)

However, experts advise that filters not be routinely used among people who can receive anticoagulation therapy, because the use of filters can cause new clots to form.  Also, while rare, filters can break, be badly positioned, or move to other areas within the bloodstream.

It’s important for people who have an IVC filter implanted to follow-up regularly with their healthcare providers for re-evaluation and to plan for the removal of the filter when appropriate.

Additional Reading

DVT Doctor Discussion Guide

Patient Instructions for Transcatheter Treatment of DVT

Society of Interventional Radiology Patient Center

Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Resources

Learn the basics about blood clots here.
If you are seeking medical care or a second opinion, you can use NBCA’s Find a Physician tools here.

References

Kahn, S. R. (2008). Determinants and Time Course of the Postthrombotic Syndrome after Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 149(10), 698. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-149-10-200811180-00004

Tick, L. W., Kramer, M. H. H., Rosendaal, F. R., Faber, W. R., & Dogen, C. J. M. (2008). Risk factors for post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with a first deep venous thrombosis. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 6(12), 2075–2081. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2008.03180

Kahn, SR. (2016). The post-thrombotic syndrome. Hematology, 2016(1), 413–418. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2016.1.413

Kahn, S. R., Galanaud, J.-P., Vedantham, S., & Ginsberg, J. S. (2016). Guidance for the prevention and treatment of the post-thrombotic syndrome. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 41(1), 144–153. doi:10.1007/s11239-015-1312-5 Kahn, S. R., Shapiro, S., Wells, P. S., Rodger, M. A., Kovacs, M. J., Anderson, D. R., … Ginsberg, J. S. (2014). Compression stockings to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 383(9920), 880–888. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(13)61902-9

Vedantham, S., Piazza, G., Sista, A. K., & Goldenberg, N. A. (2016). Guidance for the use of thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 41(1), 68–80. doi:10.1007/s11239-015-1318-z

This educational opportunity was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Boston Scientific.

*The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not approved thrombolytic or clot-busting drugs, or stents, for the  treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Physician use of thrombolytic or clot-busting drugs and stents to treat DVT is considered on a case-by-case basis, and done off-label when deemed to have potential clinical benefit for a patient. Patients should always discuss with their doctor the risk factors associated with any drug therapy or medical procedure being considered or recommended for them.

Treating and Managing Pulmonary Embolism

How Pulmonary Embolism Is Treated

Treatment is aimed at keeping the blood clot from getting bigger and preventing new clots from forming. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent serious complications or death.

Blood thinners or anticoagulants are the most common treatment for a blood clot in the lung. While hospitalized an injection is used, but this will be transitioned into a pill regimen when the patient is sent home. Thanks to medical advancements, many patients are good candidates for taking blood thinner tablets which do not require routine monitoring. Patients will normally have to take medications regularly for an indefinite amount of time, usually at least 3 months. However, it is important to work with your doctor to find the best possible treatment for your condition.

It is important to note that blood thinners won’t dissolve the blood clot. In most cases, the hope is your body will eventually dissolve the clot on its own. If it doesn’t, more drastic measures may need to be taken.

Clot dissolvers called thrombolytics are a medication reserved for life-threatening situations because they can cause sudden and severe bleeding. For a very large, life-threatening clot, doctors may suggest removing it via a thin, flexible tube (catheter) threaded through your blood vessels.

Managing Pulmonary Embolism

While a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, most patients survive and need to learn how to live with the risk of recurrence. Your healthcare provider may prescribe anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which may be needed for as little as three months but can be required for the remainder of a patient’s life. The length of treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Appropriate caution must be taken due to the bleeding risk when on anticoagulants. Your doctor may suggest staying away from certain foods (such as foods rich in vitamin K), alcohol, or some over-the-counter medicines (such as aspirin and sleeping pills). It is also important for people taking blood thinners to be careful not to over-exert themselves during exercise.

Compression socks are a helpful tool for preventing PE occurrences. Because pulmonary embolism often starts in the legs, the increased pressure on the leg muscles forces blood to move, discouraging clots.

In the rare circumstances in which blood thinners cannot be used or do not seem to be working, your physician may suggest an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. The filter is surgically inserted inside a large vein called the vena cava. The filter catches blood clots from the legs before they travel to the lungs, which prevents pulmonary embolism. However, the filter doesn’t stop new blood clots from forming. If your physician suggests this as an appropriate device for you, be sure to have an in-depth discussion to fully understand the risks and benefits.

In three to four percent of PE patients, the arteries can form scar-like tissue which blocks or narrow the arteries, leading to a form of pulmonary hypertension called chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). If you continue to have breathing difficulty 6 months after a pulmonary embolism you should talk to your doctor and get tested for CTEPH.

Your physician may complete a “hypercoagulability” evaluation on you at some point after your diagnosis. This could include blood tests looking for a genetic cause of your DVT. If there is no identifiable risk factor, your physician may recommend additional tests to search for other health conditions.

For More Information:

Some resources available to patients include:

Blood Clots

What are blood clots?

Blood clotting is a normal body process. It is also called coagulation. When you get a cut or injury, your body sends blood cells called platelets plus other special proteins to the site of the injury and forms a clot. This kind of clot looks like a clump of dried blood and some people call it a scab. Unless the cut or injury is very big, the clot will clog up the area where the injury has happened. This helps stop the bleeding so you don’t lose too much blood. These kinds of blood clots are normal, stay in place as you heal, and then they will fall off or dissolve over time when they aren’t needed anymore.

Types of Blood Clots

Sometimes different types of blood clots are named by where they start or the parts of the body they affect: 

• Thrombus (single) or thrombi (more than one)
• Thromboembolism: The name for a thrombus that has broken loose and stuck in another blood vessel, or in another part of the body such as the lungs or legs.
• Deep vein thrombosis (or DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg, and other times in the arm or other deep veins.
• Pulmonary embolus (PE): A blood clot that has started somewhere else, but breaks loose and gets stuck in the lungs. This is a serious, life-threatening condition.
• Venous thromboembolism (VTE): A word used to describe both DVT and PE
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): a usually rare but serious condition that is a complication of some cancers, causing severe bleeding and severe clotting at the same time. DIC is life-threatening and should be treated immediately.

Patients with cancer are at a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Blood clots can be life-threatening, should be taken seriously, and should be treated immediately.

Blood clots in people with cancer

Cancer itself can increase your risk of getting blood clots. Cancer is known to be a risk factor for having a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Some experts suggest this is because of tissue damage some cancers can cause that might trigger the blood clotting process.

Any person with cancer can develop a blood clot. But certain kinds of cancer (for example, lung cancer or pancreatic cancer) , types of treatment, and other conditions and medications can increase the risk for blood clots. Having metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from where it started to other areas of the body) increases the risk of having blood clots.

Other medical conditions have a higher risk for blood clots. If you already have a disorder that increases your risk, having cancer will increase that risk further. Some disorders that already have a risk for blood clots include Factor V Leiden thrombophilia, abnormally high levels of certain clotting proteins, abnormally low levels of proteins that prevent clots, and certain types of gene changes. In rare cases, cancer might be diagnosed by accident during testing when a person has a blood clot.

Blood clots from medications or treatments

There are some non-cancer medications that have a higher risk for blood clots, or that have a side effect that might cause blood clots. Some vitamins, minerals, and supplements might increase the risk for blood clots, too. It’s very important to talk to your doctor about all medications, vitamins, minerals, and supplements you are taking so your risk can be discussed.

Medications given to treat cancer that are known to be linked with blood clots, or have side effects that contribute to clots are:

• Platinum, such as cisplatin
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, such as bevacizumab
• VEGF tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors, such as sorafenib or sunitinib
• L-asparaginase
• Thalidomide
• Lenalidomide
• Tamoxifen

Other risk factors for blood clots

Besides cancer and other health conditions, other things can put you at risk for getting blood clots, such as:

• Older age (being older than 65 puts you at greater risk)
• Being pregnant
• Smoking
• Sitting or lying in bed for long periods of time or being in bed more than 3 days in a row
• Taking birth control pills or other hormone therapy
• Being overweight
• Having surgery, especially orthopedic surgery, abdominal or pelvis surgery
• Having a family history of blood clots
• Having a central venous catheter in place
• Having a blood transfusion or taking red blood-cell stimulating agents for some types of anemia
• Having an infection.

Symptoms of blood clots: what to look for

Sometimes a blood clot has no symptoms, but it is important to get help as soon as you have any of the symptoms listed here, because some blood clots can be dangerous and become life-threatening:

• Sudden chest pain
• Sudden leg or arm pain
• Swelling in the leg or arm
• Fast heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• A feeling of overwhelming dread or doom
• Sweating or fever
• Coughing up blood.

Finding and managing blood clots

Blood clots can be found after a patient reports symptoms that suggest a blood clot. Other times, blood clots are found by accident when checking for other things.

In patients without cancer, calculating the chance of getting a blood clot, and having a special blood test (called a D-Dimer test) can often be enough to rule out the presence of a blood clot.

In cancer patients, using these tests alone may not be as accurate and useful. Your health care team will get the information needed to decide if you will need one or more of them, plus additional tests, such as:

What can be done about a blood clot?

You and your doctor will decide what the best treatment for your blood clot is. Some of the treatments that you could have include one or more of the following.

• Medication that helps stop your blood from clotting more than normal (these medications are also called anticoagulants). Usually these are given intravenously (IV) drugs, but in some patients, these may be taken by mouth. Because these drugs help prevent clots, they have side effects that can cause bleeding. You and your doctor will weigh the benefits of the drugs against the risks of these side effects.
• Medications that can dissolve clots (given by IV)
• Filters that help stop a clot from traveling into your lungs or heart. These special filters are put into a large vein in your chest during a surgical procedure.

Can a blood clot be prevented?

If you are at higher risk of having a blood clot, have cancer, and are starting a certain type of cancer treatment, your doctor may give you medication to prevent a blood clot. Sometimes your doctor will decide that the risk of bleeding episodes associated with the drugs used to treat blood clots is worth the benefit of never getting a blood clot to begin with. In this case, you may be given medications to prevent a blood clot from happening.

If you are having certain surgeries, you might receive anticoagulation medication before, and for weeks after the surgery, to prevent blood clots. After surgery, you might also wear hose, a garment, or a device that helps to compress your legs or other area of your body. Some experts recommend cancer patients receive preventive medication for blood clots any time you are hospitalized or before, during, and for some days after you have surgery. For most patients, taking medications to prevent a blood clot if you are not in the hospital is not necessary. It is important, though, to be checked for your risk of having a blood clot every now and then.

Talk to your doctor about your risk and whether you need to take medications or use other therapies to prevent blood clots. It is also very important to notify your health care team if you think you have any of the symptoms associated with a blood clot.

What the patient can do

If you are concerned about your risk for blood clots, if you have been told you are at risk, or you are being treated for a blood clot, here are some questions to ask your doctor.

• Does having a blood clot put me at risk for having more in the future?
• Is this a life-threatening blood clot?
• What about my cancer or my treatment requires me to be on medicine when I don’t have a clot now?
• What activities should I avoid while I am on this medicine?
• How long do I have to be on this medicine?
• What other side effects can I expect from this medicine?

It’s best to stay away from anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen (Motrin^®, Advil^®, Naprosyn^®, Aleve^®, Midol^®) and medicines like them unless your cancer care team tells you it’s safe to use them. Check with your pharmacist if you’re not sure whether a medicine is an anti-inflammatory, or if it contains one of them. Do not take any over- the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen without talking to your doctor first. These , along with medication for blood clots, can thin your blood and make you bleed easily.

If you get medicine to prevent or to treat a blood clot, it is important to take care to not injure yourself, because your blood’s ability to clot will be slowed down. This means that even little injuries can cause you to bleed more than you usually would. Some things you can do to prevent little injuries include:

• Using an electric razor to shave, rather a straight razor
• Using a soft toothbrush and brushing gently to avoid making your gums bleed
• Do not use dental floss unless approved by your doctor
• Avoid blowing your nose forcefully, to avoid a nosebleed
• Avoid falls that could cause bruises; pick up loose throw rugs to avoid tripping
• Eat a healthy diet that includes fiber to avoid constipation. If you get constipated, talk to your cancer care team about using a stool softener. Do not use enemas or suppositories of any kind
• Keep your head level with or above your heart (lie flat or stay upright)

Call for help right away if:

• You notice any symptoms of a blood clot
• You have unusual bleeding
• Bleeding of any kind does not stop

The sooner you get help, the more likely the treatment for a blood clot or clotting problem will be effective.

Prevention of blood clots in blood vessels

Prevention of blood clots in blood vessels

Platelets are one of the elements of our blood. Their natural purpose is the formation of a kind of “plug” when the integrity of the vessel is violated. If a wound appears, platelets stick together, forming a small blood clot, and close the gap. This is how the mechanism for stopping bleeding is carried out. Sometimes this very mechanism fails, and thrombosis begins in the body.

Thrombosis – is a chronic lifelong formation of platelet accumulations in blood vessels, heart, brain and other organs.

The reasons for the formation of blood clots in blood vessels can be very diverse: heredity; improper diet; thickening of the blood; smoking and alcohol; sedentary lifestyle; problems with blood clotting; frequent stress, tension; phlebeurysm; atherosclerosis of the arteries; oncological diseases and chemotherapy; postoperative rehabilitation period; congenital or acquired pathologies; infectious diseases; STIs; taking hormonal, contraceptive drugs;

pregnancy.

How to prevent blood clots? The main tips for prevention are as follows:

– Normalize physical activity. Exercise every day to tone blood vessels and restore blood circulation. If the work is sedentary, then try to do exercises or physical education in the morning and in the evening, do gymnastics or go to the gym.

– To be outdoors more often. So the blood is enriched with oxygen, which has a beneficial effect on the work of the whole organism.

-Complete rejection of bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco destroy the walls of blood vessels, making them thin and fragile.

-Do not wear tight, tight clothing. In the transferred area, capillaries can be injured and platelets accumulate.

-Change your usual diet, follow a special diet. Products should be specially selected, taking into account the individual characteristics of your body and specifically your case of blood clot formation.

– Taking medications to thin the blood and improve the condition of blood vessels, strengthen them.As a rule, a complex of vitamins and anticoagulants are prescribed.

Drug prophylaxis.

If there are already blood clots in the body, it is necessary to fight them with medication. Substances that thin the blood are called anticoagulants. The specific drug and the scheme of its administration will be prescribed for you by the attending physician, to whom you will need to regularly go for a consultation. If the thrombosis is caused by the use of medications, then the first step to recovery is not to take them anymore.

Drug prophylaxis is aimed exclusively at improving the state of the circulatory system: vitamins strengthen the walls of blood vessels from the inside and outside, anticoagulants thin the blood.

Remember that delayed treatment can lead to heart attack or stroke. If a blood clot breaks off and walks through the body, it can stop and block a vessel leading to one of the vital organs. Pulmonary embolism is often fatal. The consequences are terrible, so when the first signs appear, do not hesitate to contact the doctor, he will tell you how to avoid complications.

Folk remedies for prevention

In order not to resort to medications, there are alternative methods of how to get rid of thrombosis.The main treatment is herbal teas and tinctures. There are many readily available plants that are inherently natural anticoagulants. Drinking these drinks has a positive effect on the elimination of clots.

For example, blueberries, viburnum, currants, sea buckthorn, raspberries – they break blood clots.

Birch buds, linden leaves and color, hawthorn, dill, wild rose and others will help to strengthen arteries, veins, capillaries.

Diet to avoid blood clots

All platelets are made up of the protein fibrinogen.It is produced by the liver and then converted to fibrin. It is fibrin that plays a major role in blood clotting.

With the help of a properly constructed diet, you can help your body to thin and thicken the blood. For example, garlic, salmon, ginger are natural anticoagulants. There are products that regulate the level of fibrinogen in the blood: they decrease or increase and, accordingly, slow down or accelerate the dissolution of platelet accumulations. Some affect the thickness and viscosity of the blood. That is why the most important thing is to stick to a diet and monitor what goes into the body.

The list of recommended products is extensive:

onions – Oddly enough, this affordable product contains substances that prevent platelets from sticking together and help to liquefy formed clots;

garlic – contains a powerful anticoagulant ajoen, which is used for the manufacture of medicines;

fish – Statistics show that people who eat at least a piece of fish every day are 2 times less likely to get heart attacks than those who do not eat fish at all.It is fatty fish or fish oil in its pure form that has the strongest antithrombotic effect. Fish oil acts on platelets in such a way that they simply lose the ability to stick to each other;

olive oil – reduces the stickiness of colorless blood cells and prevents them from sticking together;

vegetables – the main enemies of blood clots. Fresh vegetables and fruits, which are high in vitamin C and fiber, will stick up platelet clumps and prevent them from clumping back together.

You will have to give up many beloved products, but the effect is worth it: sugar, all flour products;

Recommendations of specialists

Doctors recommend that at the first sign of thrombosis, contact a specialist for qualified help.Since thrombosis is not an independent disease, but only a sign of another, more serious disease, you need to undergo additional examination, examinations and tests. Doctors certainly know how to identify thrombosis and prescribe the right course of treatment.

Take care of yourself and your health. Do not self-medicate, it is easy to worsen the situation, and it will take a long and difficult time to get rid of the consequences.

Sports and proper nutrition are the key to a healthy body!

Prepared by:

N. PikulskayaB.

Thrombosis prevention exercises

Stagnation of blood in the veins, as you know, along with damage to the vessel wall and activation of the blood coagulation system, contributes to the development of thrombus formation processes.

Prevention of blood stagnation in the veins of the lower extremities can be very effective if you are not lazy and devote at least 10 minutes a day to your health. Any physical activity makes the blood run faster through the veins.

Patients after injuries, operations are recommended to activate as soon as possible so that the blood in the veins does not stagnate. Specialists have developed special exercises for the prevention of venous blood stasis. They help the muscles and veins of the lower extremities. The muscle pump is a powerful motor for the veins. Our exercises will make him work harder. Exercising regularly will keep your feet healthy.

Prevention of blood stasis in the veins of the lower extremities

1.Flexion and extension of the toes

Lying on your back, first bend, then straighten your toes. Repeat 15 times, do the task several times a day.

2. Heels and tips of toes

Sit on a chair with your legs straight. First, raise your heels and press the front of your foot to the floor. Then touch the floor with your heel and lift your toes up. This exercise also needs to be repeated 15 times and performed several times a day.

3

Walk in place to warm up.Raise your knees one at a time.

Do exercise for 1 minute.

4

Raise one leg, extend the toe, then alternate flexion and extension of the ankle.

Do the exercise 20 times on each leg.

5

Stand with your feet parallel to the floor. Slowly stand on tiptoes, then lower your heels to the floor.And so 15 times.

6

Sit on a chair in a comfortable position, lift one leg and make a circle in the air in a vertical plane.

Repeat 20 times.

7

Raise one leg and make a horizontal rotary motion.

Do the exercise 3 times, 30 seconds for each leg.

8

While seated, alternately touch the ground / floor with your toes and heel.

Repeat the exercise 20 times on each leg.

9

In a standing position, lift one leg and draw the number “8” in the air.

Perform exercise 5-10 times on each leg.

SARU.ENO.19.06.1021

90,000 A drug has been created that dissolves blood clots thousands of times more effective than existing analogues – Gazeta.Ru

Scientists from ITMO University, in collaboration with the St. Petersburg City Mariinsky Hospital, have developed a magnetically controlled drug for the treatment of thrombosis, consisting of a porous magnetite base and an enclosed thrombolytic enzyme.A solution of nanoparticles of the new drug, focused on a thrombus using a magnet, will be able to break down blood clots in the body up to 4000 times more effectively than existing thrombolytics in the future. The development will also allow reducing the dose of the drug tenfold and avoiding many side effects. Research scientists were published in Scientific Reports.

One of the main tasks of emergency care in case of blockage of blood vessels is to effectively carry out thrombolysis, that is, to quickly dissolve a thrombus.In Russia, out of a hundred people brought to the hospital, only two can be helped by the procedure, since doctors have a very limited period of time for the clot to break apart – 3-4.5 hours. After this time, the tissues finally die without blood flow. But even if the patient is in the “happy” 2%, he will face a huge number of complications caused by the thrombolytic itself (an intravenously administered protein designed to dissolve a thrombus).

The difficulty is that thrombolytics do not have a targeted action and are instantly distributed throughout the circulatory system.Therefore, the drug is administered in shock doses, hoping that at least a small part of it will have time to get to the blood clot. Scientists have created material through which the delivery of an enzyme to break down a blood clot can be targeted and safe for the body. The new material consists of a magnetite porous base and a protein enclosed in it – urokinase, which is widely used in medicine as a thrombolytic agent. Such a composite can be used to produce coatings for artificial vessels in order to prevent their clogging, as well as stable injection solutions, nanosized particles of which can be easily localized near a thrombus under the influence of a magnetic field.The material is potentially safe for humans, since it consists exclusively of components that are already approved for intravenous administration.

90,000 Is it possible to cure thrombosis with folk remedies

On the one hand, the medicinal properties of natural remedies for the treatment of a number of diseases have been known and tested for many centuries, on the other hand, self-treatment of thrombosis can cost life or lead to disability! Let’s figure it out.

Why Should You Take Thrombosis Treatment Seriously?

Arterial thrombosis is the main cause of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and a number of other serious diseases.Deep vein thrombosis may not appear for a long time, but at any time lead to a life-threatening phenomenon – pulmonary embolism. However, thrombosis and its consequences can be prevented, as there are preventive measures with proven effectiveness.

What do willow tea and aspirin have in common?

Even in ancient Egypt, a decoction of willow leaves was used for many diseases. Willow bark juice was also recommended by Hippocrates. In the 18th century, willow bark was a famous folk remedy for colds.It was found that the healing property of the plant is due to the salicylic acid contained in it. By the way, salicylic acid is found in the bark and leaves of many other plants, decoctions of which are used in folk medicine. But the broth containing salicylic acid was very bitter, caused stomach pains and vomiting, many patients refused to take it. Therefore, Charles Gerard in 1853 decided to improve this substance and obtained acetylsalicylic acid, which retained the effectiveness of salicylic acid, but was well tolerated by patients.Later this remedy was called aspirin.

What other effects of acetylsalicylic acid have been discovered and studied?

In 1983, in a study involving 1266 patients, it was proved that the use of aspirin halves the risk of myocardial infarction or death in unstable angina pectoris [3]. It turned out that ASA, in addition to anti-inflammatory, has an antiplatelet effect – it prevents the formation of blood clots and therefore can be used to prevent thrombosis!

How were the dosage forms of acetylsalicylic acid further improved?

Later, ASA dosage forms were developed and studied in dosages used for the prevention of thrombotic complications.For example, Thrombo ACC is available in dosages of 50 and 100 mg, which is several times less than the dosage of aspirin used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Since long-term intake of ASA is necessary for the prevention of thrombosis, it is important to reduce the effect of the active substance directly on the gastric mucosa. For this, special dosage forms have been developed, for example, tablets of the Trombo ACC drug are coated with an enteric coating.

Summarize

Thus, ASA preparations contain improved molecules of salicylic acid, which is found in plants and has long been used in folk medicine.However, unlike any traditional medicine, ASA is produced in special “cardiological” dosages, and the effectiveness and safety of this drug has been studied in numerous studies. Over 100 years of its existence, aspirin has improved the quality of life or significantly extended the life of millions or even billions of patients [2], [3]. In addition, there are “improved” forms of aspirin, for example, Thrombo ACC, tablets of which are coated with a coating that protects the gastric mucosa. Thrombosis is a serious medical condition.Do not risk your life, treat with methods with proven efficacy and safety, in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations!

Used sources:

(1) Lewis, H. D., Jr .; Davis, J. W .; Archibald, D. G .; Steinke, W. E .; Smitherman, T. C .; Doherty, J. E., 3rd; Schnaper, H. W .; LeWinter, M. M .; Linares, E .; Pouget, J. M .; Sabharwal, S. C .; Chesler, E .; DeMots, H .: Protective effects of aspirin against acute myocardial infarction and death in men with unstable angina.Results of a Veterans Administration Cooperative Study. N Engl J Med 1983,309,396-403.

(2) WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 19th edition. WHO (2015). http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en/

(3) Dorofeev V. Great medicines in the struggle for life. M .: Alpina non-fiction, 2015.

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Thrombosis of hemorrhoids – treatment in proctology Alan Clinic Izhevsk

The occurrence of thrombosis of nodes

Pathological enlargement and inflammation of hemorrhoids are hemorrhoids.As a result of advanced chronic hemorrhoids , thrombosis of hemorrhoids (thrombophlebitis) occurs.

This disease is a blood clot in the vein of the hemorrhoid. External signs of the disease depend on the stage (three in total). At the first stage, the cones are small, elastic, then enlarge, acquire a purple, dark color. If they fall out, they cannot be adjusted inward.

At the second stage, the tissues around it begin to become inflamed, then (third stage) – along the entire circumference of the anus, edema of the anus occurs.

Symptoms of hemorrhoidal thrombosis

Symptoms are pronounced:

• Severe, sudden and prolonged pain in the anus occurs when defecating, walking or sitting. Inflammation of external hemorrhoids is most painful and sensitive to a person.
• Lumps, bumps, growths and swelling in the anal area. The nodes can be both inside and outside the anus.
• Bleeding from the anus.
• Itching and burning in the anus.

If you find these symptoms in yourself, contact the “Alan Clinic” Izhevsk for help. It is possible to remove nodes quickly (in 15-30 minutes), painless, safe, on an outpatient basis. Make an appointment to make sure.

Appointment with a proctologist

Consequences of hemorrhoidal thrombosis

The disease is serious enough and should never be started, brought to the third stage. To treat this stage of the disease is much more difficult and takes a longer time.In addition, complications may arise. The most dangerous of them are:

• Profuse bleeding with sudden infringement of the hemorrhoidal formation by the sphincter muscles.
• Hemorrhoidal necrosis . Occurs with prolonged pinching. The lump becomes cyanotic or black. With complete necrosis, ulcers form, and blood poisoning may begin.
• Purulent paraproctitis – inflammation of the tissue surrounding the rectum. The infection penetrates through ulcers, anal fissures.There are purulent fistulas, a high temperature rises, chills. An urgent surgical intervention is required.

Methods of treating hemorrhoids

Modern medicine now offers many methods of treating thrombosis. The most commonly used and effective ones are minimally invasive (less traumatic, gentle) procedures. They do not require serious preparation, there is no need for a rehabilitation period. Only in extreme, neglected cases, an operation to remove it in a hospital is possible.

Methods of treatment in proctology “Alan Clinic” Izhevsk:

Since thrombosis of hemorrhoids is a complication of hemorrhoidal disease, the main methods are used in treatment:

• Drug therapy.
• Physiotherapy (magnetic, laser therapy).
• Desarterization (ligation of the arteries supplying the hemorrhoidal plexus).
• Sclerotherapy – in our clinic, sclerotherapy is performed using the Proxon surgical complex (sclerotherapy of hemorrhoids and ultrasound).
• Infrared coagulation (device “Infrared”). Impact on a thrombus and a node with a beam of infrared light.
• Radio wave treatment method (“Surgitron”). Excision of thrombosed hemorrhoids with radio waves.
• Surgical laser (“Lakhta-Milon”) helps to gently get rid of thrombosis.

All methods are designed for minimally traumatic removal of nodes with blood clots. Removal is the treatment of thrombosis of hemorrhoids. It helps relieve inflammation, pain and discomfort.

Treatment options for thrombosis are individually selected by the doctor after examination and explained to you. The following factors influence the choice of treatment:

• the severity of the disease,
• the size and number of nodes,
• the patient’s age.

Ask the doctor questions, it is available to you, without haste they will explain all the details of the disease and treatment.

Appointment to a doctor proctologist

Features of “Alan Clinic” Izhevsk

You have a choice to be treated with home remedies, in a polyclinic at your place of residence or in another hospital.But in comparison with these options, only in our medical center:

• You will get a consultation any day and any time convenient for you. You will not need to sign up for an electronic queue two weeks before your appointment. In addition, having signed up, you will first get an appointment with a therapist, and only then you will get to a proctologist. Sometimes it is necessary to draw up quotas or other documents for the proctologist to receive you. You see how long it all can take!
• You can choose a doctor in advance by reading reviews, or on the advice of former patients.In addition, you choose a female or male doctor, which is fundamentally important for some patients.
• You are surrounded by the benevolence and responsiveness of honey. staff. At the appointment, the doctor will explain your illness and answer questions.
• You are treated and monitored in a comfortable environment.
• After the treatment, you can visit a coloproctologist for prophylactic purposes once a year absolutely free of charge.
• We use high-quality proven imported equipment that allows us to provide medical care for hemorrhoids quickly, efficiently and painlessly.

Treatment of vascular thrombosis in Germany

Milan Lisi, vascular surgeon

Expert in cardiovascular surgery, one of the leading specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies of blood vessels.

More about the specialist →

Thrombosis is a blockage that impedes blood flow, resulting in trophic disorders of the vessels and soft tissues of organs.Most often, vascular thrombosis occurs in the upper and lower extremities. In the clinic “Nordwest” patients with this disease receive both conservative and surgical treatment in Germany.

Causes of vascular thrombosis

The formation of blood clots is a complex process that lasts more than one day. Usually, numerous factors influence the development of this pathology:

• hypercoagulability;
• blood stasis;
• damage to blood vessels, etc.

But, in addition to factors that directly affect, there are those that can provoke this disease.These include:

• oncological diseases;
• diabetes mellitus;
• fractures;
• vasculitis;
• renal dysfunction;
• DIC syndrome;
• problems with metabolic processes;
• hormonal disorders.

As a rule, thrombosis of blood vessels begins to develop at a more mature age. It affects people after sixty years, as well as those who are obese. People at risk include pregnant women as well as patients who do not move.Other factors can influence the development of the disease:

• long-term use of specific medications;
• physical stress;
• dehydration;
• abrupt loads;
• lack of regular physical activity.

The occurrence of this pathology is individual in nature. Among women, it is more common for those who take hormonal contraceptives for a long time.

Do not think that thrombosis occurs only in the elderly.Young people who are engaged in sedentary work for a long time and lead a sedentary lifestyle are also susceptible to it. In addition, thrombosis of the vessels of the brain, heart, lungs, mesenteric vessels of the intestine, upper and lower extremities often occurs in people who lie for a long time as a result of various diseases.

Symptoms of the disease

Vascular thrombosis manifests itself, depending on the site of localization. It can be venous and arterial. Signs of the venous form of the disease include:

• swelling;
• aching and drawing pains;
• paresthesias;
• trophic changes in soft tissues.

Arterial thrombosis is usually located in the brain as well as in the heart. The most common symptoms can be the diseases they cause. The consequence of such thrombosis is often ischemic stroke. Also, the signs of this form of pathology include:

• headache;
• clouding of consciousness;
• impaired sensitivity of various parts of the body;
• shortness of breath;
• heart failure and other serious consequences.

Acute thrombosis

Acute condition is most dangerous because it is localized in the arterial vessel basin. For example, acute thrombosis of the leg occurs due to blockage of the iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries.

Exacerbation symptoms:

• acute leg pain;
• violation of sensitivity;
• pallor of the skin;
• a sharp change in the temperature of the affected area;
• violation of the movement of the affected area;
• increased pain during palpation;
• development of muscle contracture.

In this case, there are three degrees of development of acute thrombosis:

• First degree of severity
  Has no pronounced symptoms and is almost invisible.
• Second degree of severity
  Has all of the above symptoms except the last.
• Third degree of severity (last)
  Is irreversible and often leads to limb amputation.

Treatment of vascular thrombosis at the Nordwest Clinic

Acute thrombosis is a disease, at the first symptoms of which it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. The success of treatment directly depends on the early diagnosis of vascular thrombosis. Therapy can be outpatient or inpatient – it all depends on the severity of the disease. The solution to this problem, based on the results of the examination, can be medical or surgical, which is also determined at the diagnostic stage in Germany.

The main goal of the clinic’s specialists is to rid the patient of “floating blood clots”. It is they who can break away from the walls of blood vessels and move with the blood throughout the circulatory system until they get into some organ.Sometimes these blood clots are fatal. In particular, with thrombosis of cerebral vessels.

Cost of vascular thrombosis treatment in Germany

Therapy in this case is urgent. At the first suspicion of the appearance of this disease, it is important to see a doctor. Only he will be able to tell how to treat vascular thrombosis in your case, and whether there is a threat to life at the current stage of development of the pathology. Our specialists have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis of any complexity.Thanks to modern diagnostic devices, the diagnosis is made accurately and in the shortest possible time. The cost of therapy is calculated based on the patient’s condition at the time of the visit to the clinic and the chosen method of treatment with a stay in a comfortable room during the entire treatment period.

How to get rid of blood clots | Dnipro Hour

Detachment of a blood clot from the vessel wall can lead to blockage of the blood vessel.

Most often, the occurrence of blood clots is associated with a change in the composition of the blood at the age of over 35 years.Improper nutrition, ecology, injuries can accelerate the development of this extremely unhealthy process, writes Lenta.

In fact, the danger of blood clots is deadly, since mural and occlusive formations can cause a heart attack and, in the worst case, a fatal heart attack. Doctors distinguish between two main types of thrombosis: venous and arterial.

Thrombus is a blood clot formed in the lumen of a blood vessel or in the heart cavity.This can happen, for example, due to genetically determined bleeding disorders.

Autoimmune diseases and large vein surgeries also contribute to blood clotting disorders.

In addition, during operations, due to trauma or infection, damage to the endothelium on the inner surface of the vessels can occur. This also contributes to the formation of blood clots. Atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cancer, injury, or a sedentary lifestyle can also provoke blood stasis leading to thrombosis.

Having arisen, the thrombus gradually increases in size as the thrombotic masses are layered. The separation of a blood clot from the vessel wall can lead to blockage of the blood vessel, that is, thromboembolism, which stops normal blood flow.