Blood Clot  Symptoms, Signs, Types, Causes




What is a blood clot?



A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Clotting is a necessary process that can prevent you from losing too much blood in certain instances, such as when you’re injured or cut.
When a clot forms inside one of your veins, it won’t always dissolve on its own. This can be a very dangerous and even life-threatening situation.
An immobile blood clot generally won’t harm you, but there’s a chance that it could move and become dangerous. If a blood clot breaks free and travels through your veins to your heart and lungs, it can get stuck and prevent blood flow. 


facts about blood clots
  • Clots that block blood flow are the main culprits in most heart attacks and strokes. They can also damage other organs:
  • When a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more arteries that supply blood to the heart, it blocks the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, reducing or completely cutting off the oxygen supply to the cells in that area. As a result, the part of the heart muscle that is deprived of oxygen dies, and a heart attack occurs.
  • Clots that block the flow of oxygen to the brain are the primary cause of strokes.
  • Clots that form in the eye may cause sudden blindness.
    • Thrombophlebitis is classified as either superficial or deep. In other words, thrombosis can affect either superficial (surface) or deep (below the surface) veins, causing thrombophlebitis.
    • Superficial thrombophlebitis occurs when a blood clot affects veins near the skin surface, or superficial veins.

    Types of blood clots




    Your circulatory system is made up of vessels called veins and arteries, which transport blood throughout your body. Blood clots can form in veins or arteries.
    When a blood clot occurs in an artery, it’s called an arterial clot. This type of clot causes symptoms immediately and requires emergency treatment. The symptoms of an arterial clot include severe pain, paralysis of parts of the body, or both. It can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
    A blood clot that occurs in a vein is called a venous clot. These types of clots may build up more slowly over time, but they can still be life-threatening. The most serious type of venous clot is called deep vein thrombosis.

      • Deep vein thrombosis
      • Blood clot in the leg or arm
      • Blood clot in the heart, or heart attack
      • Blood clot in the abdomen
      • Blood clot in the brain, or stroke
      • Blood clot in the lungs, or pulmonary embolism

      Causes


      Blood clots are the result of: 

        1. Disruptions in blood flow (due to a blockage)
        2. Injury to the blood vessels 
        3. Changes in blood composition (e.g., too many clotting factors in the blood)


        What are the risk factors?


        Certain risk factors increase your chances of having a blood clot. A recent hospital stay, especially one that’s lengthy or related to a major surgery, increases your risk of a blood clot.
        Common factors that can put you at a moderate risk for a blood clot include:


          1. age, especially if you’re over 65 years old
          2. lengthy travel, such as any trips that caused you to sit for more than four hours at a time
          3. bed rest or being sedentary for long periods of time
          4. obesity
          5. pregnancy
          6. a family history of blood clots
          7. smoking
          8. cancer
          9. certain birth control pills

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