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Key Points
- Excessive blood clotting is a condition in which
blood clots form too easily or don't dissolve properly.
- Normally, blood clots form to seal small cuts or
breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. Blood clots also can form due
to slow blood flow in the blood vessels.
- There are many causes of excessive blood
clotting. The condition may be due to problems with the blood, blood vessel
defects, or other factors. Regardless of the cause, problem blood clots can
limit or block blood flow. This can damage the body's organs or even cause
death.
- Excessive blood clotting can be acquired or
genetic. "Acquired” means that another disease, condition, or factor
triggers the condition. "Genetic" means the condition is due to an abnormal
gene.
- People at highest risk for excessive blood
clotting have both genetic and acquired risk factors.
- Signs and symptoms of excessive blood clotting
depend on where the clots form. Signs and symptoms may include chest pain;
shortness of breath; upper body discomfort; pain, redness, warmth, and swelling
in the lower leg; ongoing headaches; speech changes; paralysis (an inability to
move); dizziness; and trouble speaking and understanding.
- If your doctor thinks that you have excessive
blood clotting based on your signs and symptoms, he or she will look for the
cause of the condition. Your doctor will ask about your medical and family
histories and review the results from a physical exam and tests.
- Excessive blood clotting is treated with
medicines. Depending on the size and location of the clot(s), you may need
emergency treated and/or routine treatment. Long-term control of problem blood
clotting is treated with blood-thinning medicines over time. Some people must
take blood thinners for the rest of their lives.
- You can't prevent genetic causes of excessive
blood clotting. However, you can take steps to control or avoid some acquired
risk factors. (For more information, see "How Can
Excessive Blood Clotting Be Prevented?")
- If you have excessive blood clotting, you should
know the signs and symptoms of problem blood clots, take all of your medicines
as prescribed, and get ongoing medical care.
- The outcome for people who have excessive blood
clotting depends on the underlying cause of the condition. With medicines and
ongoing care, most people who have the condition can successfully manage
it.
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