Blood Clot

A Blood Clot is a gel-like clump of blood. It can be beneficial if they form in response to a cut or an injury, plugging the injured blood vessel that stops the bleeding. 

Several blood clots form inside your veins without a good reason and don’t dissolve as expected. These may need medical attention, especially if they are in your legs or are in more dangerous locations, such as your brain or lungs.  

 

What Causes Blood Clot? 

Blood clots form when certain parts of your blood thicken that form a semisolid mass. This may be caused by an injury or at times it occurs inside blood vessels that don’t have an obvious injury. 

When these clots are formed, it travels to other parts of your body which may cause harm. Conditions and factors that can cause harmful blood clots and serious disorders that are related to blood clots include:  

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) 
• Surgery 

• Heart attack 
• COVID-19 
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) 
• Smoking 
• Certain medications such as oral contraceptives and hormone therapy drugs 

• Arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis 
• Heart failure 
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in an artery in the lung) 
• Antiphospholipid syndrome 
• Obesity 

• Heart arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems) 
• Stroke 
• Family history of blood clots 
• Pregnancy 
• Factor V Leiden 
• Prolonged sitting or bed rest 

 

Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clot 

There are various essential signs and symptoms of blood clots. If you can distinguish these signs and symptoms, you can save your life or the life of a family member or a friend. 

• Redness or discoloration of the skin 

• Swelling 
• Skin that is warm to the touch 
• Pain or tenderness not caused by injury 
• If you know you have or know someone to have these signs or symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.   

 

Risk Factors of Having Blood Clot 

Blood clots are rare in young and healthy people. You’re more likely to get them if you: 

• Are overweight 
• Are staying in or recently left hospital especially if you cannot move around much 
• Have just had a baby or pregnant  

• Have an inflammatory condition such as Crohn’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis 
• Have had a blood clot before 
• Smoke 

 

Safety Precautions  

Blood clots are inevitable and can be safely treated. You can decrease your risk by learning some of the best ways to protect yourself from life-threatening blood clots. 

• Before any surgery, talk with your doctor about blood clots. 
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots. 
• Know your risk for blood clots. 
• Tell your doctor if you have risk factors for blood clots. 

• Maintain a healthy weight. 
• Don’t smoke or take steps to quit smoking 
• See your doctor as soon as possible if you do have any symptoms of a blood clot. Blood clots can be safely treated. 
• Get up and move if you are traveling for a long time by car, plane, or train or sitting for a long period. Stand up, walk around, and stretch your legs every two to three hours. 

 

Treating Blood Clot 

The treatment of this condition primarily involves the use of blood thinners which they are commonly referred to. Blood thinners do not ‘thin’ the blood but slow down the body’s capability to form new clots. It also keeps the existing clots from getting bigger.  

 

Medications for Blood Clot 

• Anticoagulants such as Warfarin or Heparin  
• Antiplatelet drugs such as Aspirin