Blood clot (thrombosis)

What is a blood clot?

A blood clot is called a thrombosis in medical terms. The name comes from the Latin word for blood platelets, the so-called thrombocytes. The platelets promote the clotting of the blood, so that it becomes solid.

The ability of blood to clot is vital for the body – it prevents us from bleeding to death if a blood vessel is injured. But when blood clots in a blood vessel, for example from sitting for a long time or from hardening of the arteries, a blood clot can form, which can block or stop blood flow to a part of the body. This leads to a lack of oxygen.

A blood clot most commonly develops in one leg, particularly the calf. Sometimes part of the clot breaks loose and follows the bloodstream to the lungs, where the clot blocks blood flow and oxygen delivery. A blood clot that follows blood flow is called an embolism. A common example is pulmonary embolism. With an irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation, a blood clot can form right in the heart and travel further to the brain, leading to a stroke (cerebral infarction).

Symptoms of a blood clot

A blood clot causes different symptoms depending on how big it is and where it occurs. Getting a clot in the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis, is common. A blood clot that forms quickly and often causes pain in the calf, thigh, or entire leg. The leg becomes warm, swollen, red, and tender. In certain cases, a blood clot in the leg grows slowly – then the symptoms develop gradually.

A blood clot that follows the bloodstream to the lungs can cause severe chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Small clots don’t always cause obvious symptoms, but larger blood clots can lead to life-threatening symptoms.

If you get a blood clot in the brain, you’ll have a stroke, which can include numbness or paralysis, among other symptoms, often on one side of the face or body. You can also have trouble speaking, pronouncing words, normal movement, and balance.

Common symptoms of a blood clot in the leg:
Warm feeling in the leg

• Swelling in the calf or all over the leg
• redness
• sensitivity and pain.

Common symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• tachycardia and high pulse
• sudden chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing
• Cough , sometimes with bloody sputum
• Dizziness and sometimes loss of consciousness

Common symptoms of a blood clot in the brain:

• Numbness or paralysis, often on one side of the face, arms or legs
• Weakness in an arm or leg
• Speech disorders or slurred speech
• visual disturbances
• coordination difficulties
• Dizziness and problems with balance
• strange behavior and confusion

Blood clots can also sometimes occur in other places, such as the kidneys, liver, and intestines. Blood clots also occur in connection with serious medical conditions.

Other possible explanations

A blood clot in the leg can have certain similarities to other ailments or conditions. Swelling and pain can be due to muscle atrophy or osteoarthritis , for example . Varicose veins can make the leg feel tight or heavy, sometimes with cramps or itching. Heart failure and lymphedema can lead to swelling in both legs, among other things. A so-called Baker’s cyst can cause one-sided swelling of the leg – then the symptoms often begin in the knee joint.

Persistent chest pain with difficulty breathing and a high heart rate can be a sign of other serious conditions affecting the heart, blood vessels or lungs. This can be, for example, a heart attack, cardiac insufficiency, inflammation of the myocardium or narrowing of the arteries of the heart (angina pectoris). Asthma can make you short of breath and cause difficulty breathing. Respiratory infections that cause irritation of the pleura can also lead to difficulty breathing with a cough.

Muscle pain near the heart can be caused by, among other things, exercise pain or mental stress, for example during a panic attack. Gastrointestinal complaints such as gastric catarrh with severe heartburn can also be experienced as pain near the heart. A herniated disc can affect the muscles in your chest, causing persistent pain that sometimes radiates down your arms.

The symptoms of a blood clot in the brain can sometimes resemble other conditions, such as the blurred vision of a migraine and the dizziness of positional vertigo. Confusion and lack of coordination can also be signs of a brain tumor.

Causes of a blood clot

Blood clots are caused by clotted blood obstructing or blocking the flow of blood in a blood vessel in the body. The heart then has a harder time pumping blood around the body and the blood does not get enough oxygen. This can result in vital organs not getting enough oxygen.

Blood clots can occur for many reasons. Genetic factors can make you more susceptible, especially blood disorders that affect the way the blood clots. Lifestyle factors are other important contributors to clotting problems – obesity , smoking and a sedentary lifestyle impair blood circulation, thereby increasing the risk of blood clots. The risk can also increase if you temporarily sit still for a long time, such as on a long flight, or if you have trouble moving after an illness or injury.

During pregnancy , the risk of being affected by blood clots is increased. This is due to hormonal changes and changes in blood circulation. The hormone estrogen can also contribute to an increased risk. That’s why you should use birth control pills and non-estrogen birth control methods if you’re particularly prone to blood clots.

The risk of blood clots increases as you get older – people over the age of 65 are most affected. One of the reasons for this is that the coronary arteries can be affected by hardening of the arteries over the years. It is then more difficult for the blood to flow through the vessels, making it easier for blood clots to form.

Risk factors for blood clots:

• old age, which, among other things, increases the risk of hardening of the arteries
• Heredity, for example blood disorders or blood clots in the family
• Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and diseases that affect blood clotting, for example
• previous blood clots or TIA (transient ischemic attack)
• Vascular injuries, for example after operations
• Estrogen treatment, such as birth control pills and other estrogen supplements
• pregnancy and childbirth
• lifestyle-related factors such as obesity, smoking, high alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise

Thrombosis caused by vaccines and drugs

During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been reported that there is an increased risk of blood clots and bleeding associated with certain Covid-19 vaccines . There are studies that indicate that certain vaccines can, in rare cases, affect the ability of the blood to clot. Blood clots can therefore be a very rare side effect of certain vaccines. There are also other drugs that cause an increased risk of blood clots, for example in the treatment of serious medical conditions.

Examination and treatment of blood clots

If you suspect a blood clot, you must always be examined by a doctor. A blood sample will be taken and you may be x-rayed. You may also need a coagulation test.

To prevent and treat a blood clot, you may be given a blood-thinning medication, either in the form of pills or injections. It ensures that the blood does not clot as easily. Blood-thinning medications can break up existing blood clots and reduce the risk of new ones forming.

If you have a blood clot, you may need hospital care for the first few days. Sometimes surgery or treatment to break up the clot is needed to improve blood flow.

What can I do myself?

Because lifestyle factors can sometimes be the cause of blood clots, there are some cases where you can prevent the symptoms yourself. It is all about a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of obesity. Physical exercise is just as important – not only to keep the body in good condition, but also to improve blood circulation through exercise.

To relieve and prevent discomfort with blood clots in the leg, you can use compression stockings, which you can get at the pharmacy. If you have leg pain after a blood clot, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers.

To reduce your risk of blood clots:

• enough exercise
• move your feet, toes, and legs if you have to sit still for a long time or lie in bed
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight
• quit smoking
• use compression stockings if you sit still for a long time, such as on a long flight.

If you use blood thinning medication, you need to know that there is an increased risk of bleeding. That’s because blood doesn’t clot in the same way. In the event of an injury or bleeding, you must always tell the doctor and nurse that you are taking anti-clotting medication.

When to seek medical help

See a doctor if you have leg swelling, pain, or other symptoms that could indicate a blood clot in the leg.

If you have any of the following symptoms, call 112 and wait for an ambulance:

• acute chest pain
• acute breathing difficulties
• speech or vision problems
• numbness or paralysis.

Here’s how Med-Healths can help you

If you suspect a blood clot, visit your doctor’s office or a hospital. Med-Healths can help you with a doctor’s consultation and an initial assessment of your symptoms. However, a thrombosis must be treated promptly by a doctor.