Blood Clots — The Good, The Bad and When to Worry. (2024)

FAQs

When should blood clots be a concern? ›

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. A blood clot in your lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (POOL-mo-nar-e EM-bo-liz-em). If this happens, your life can be in danger. Go to the emergency room or call 911.

Clots are tangles of molecules and blood cells that clump together. They help prevent blood loss when the skin breaks open. They also help stop infections from getting inside the body. But when clotting happens inside a blood vessel, it can be dangerous.

Blood clots are semi-solid or gel-like masses that form in your arteries and veins. Blood clots help control bleeding, but they may also cause serious medical issues, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and heart attack.

When consumed in excess, fatty foods can cause plaque build-up in the blood vessels that increase the risk of heart disease and DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). Steer clear of unhealthy trans-fats and reduce your intake of saturated fats, fatty cuts of red meat, or full-fat dairy – along with sugar and salt.

What foods should you avoid if you have blood clots? Currently, there is no evidence that any foods cause blood clots. However, it's best to limit your consumption of ultra-processed foods high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt, as these foods can increase your risk of heart disease and weight gain.

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. This is a medical emergency. A blood clot may be a medical emergency.

While many blood clots dissolve with the help of blood thinners, some dangerous clots require fast-acting clot-busting medications called thrombolytics. Because thrombolytics can cause severe bleeding, doctors usually give them only to people with large, severe clots that increase risk of pulmonary embolism.

Survival after PE depends on several factors, including age, underlying medical conditions, and the size of the clot. After PE, mortality can range from 5–15% but may be higher or lower depending on the circ*mstances.

Approximately one-quarter of people with acute massive PE may die suddenly within the first few hours of symptoms appearing.

The mortality rate after venous thrombosis is about 20% within 1 y [2],[8]. Mortality is 2- to 4-fold higher for patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), of whom 10%–20% die within 3 mo after the event, than for patients with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg [2],[9]–[11].

How do you know if a blood clot is traveling? ›

The most common symptoms of DVT are swelling in an arm or leg, tenderness that isn't from an injury, and skin that feels warm and is red in the area of the clot.

These veins are invisible to us, so a clot could be "silent" without causing any symptoms or cause dull, heavy pressure, pain, and swelling. A lump or cord that is tender to the touch can be caused by clots in superficial veins outside the muscle.

How Long Can You Have DVT Without Knowing? You can have DVT (deep vein thrombosis) without knowing for several days or weeks. However, some people may experience swelling, pain, or warmth in the affected area. It is essential to seek medical attention if you suspect DVT to prevent potential complications.

You should go to the ER If you have symptoms like leg swelling, leg pain, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood. After your visit, it's important to follow up with your doctor. Making the decision to go to the ER can feel very overwhelming and you may be hesitant to go.

Period blood clots can appear like clumps or chunks of blood, and/or a jelly-like consistency and can vary in size and number. It's a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider if you have clots that are 1 inch (24.5 mm) in length or larger (1).