What happens if you get blood clots

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 DVT is the name for when a clot forms in one of the major veins deep inside your body. These types of blood clots kill approximately , Americans annually. If you know the most common symptoms and risk factors, you can give yourself the best shot at knowing when to seek an expert option. When symptoms do appear, some of them are the same as the symptoms of other diseases.

Here are the early warning signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the leg or arm, heart, abdomen, brain, and lungs. The most common place for a blood clot to occur is in your lower leg , says Akram Alashari, MD, a trauma surgeon and critical care physician at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Your symptoms will depend on the size of the clot.

If the clot is large, your entire leg could become swollen with extensive pain. Your chances of having a blood clot increase if your symptoms are isolated to one leg or one arm.

A blood clot in the heart causes a heart attack. The heart is a less common location for a blood clot, but it can still happen. A blood clot in the heart could cause your chest to hurt or feel heavy. Lightheadedness and shortness of breath are other potential symptoms. Severe abdominal pain and swelling could be symptoms of a blood clot somewhere in your abdomen. Blood clots can be very serious and need to be treated quickly. Staying healthy and active can help prevent them.

They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. A blood clot in a leg is called a DVT deep vein thrombosis. Figure 1 provides an illustration of a blood clot in the leg. It can mean doctor, nurse, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other heath care professional.

Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs. If this happens, your life can be in danger. Go to the emergency room or call If you have been told you have a blood clot, your doctor may give you medicine to treat it. This type of medicine is called a blood thinner also called an anticoagulant [an-te-ko-AG-u-lent]. In most cases, your doctor will tell you to follow this treatment plan:.

Blood thinners can cause side effects. Bleeding is the most common problem. Your doctor will watch you closely. If you notice something wrong that you think may be caused by your medication, call your doctor. This figure is a drawing of a human body with the heart and veins shown in the abdominal area and down to the legs. There is a large oval with an arrow pointing to a vein in the groin area.

Within the oval is an illustration showing a close-up of a blood clot in the vein and the swelling in the area. Below the drawing is the text: "Blood clots can form in any deep veins of the body. Most often they form in the legs, arms, or groin. This guide is based on a product developed by Ann Wittkowsky, Pharm. Zierler, Ph. This document is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain while inhaling or coughing, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, feeling faint or fainting, and coughing up blood may occur with a PE. If you're on a plane, stand or walk occasionally. If you can't do that, exercise your lower legs. Try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes with your heels on the floor.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Blood clot in leg vein Open pop-up dialog box Close. Blood clot in leg vein A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area. Pulmonary embolism Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung.

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