What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Blood
Clotting?
Signs and symptoms of excessive blood clotting
depend on where the clots form. For example, symptoms of a blood clot in the
heart or lungs may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and upper body
discomfort in the arms, back, neck, or jaw. These symptoms may suggest
heart
attack or
pulmonary
embolism (PE).
Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the deep veins
of the leg may include pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the lower leg.
These signs and symptoms may suggest
deep
vein thrombosis (DVT).
Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the brain may
include headaches, speech changes, paralysis (an inability to move), dizziness,
and trouble speaking and understanding. These signs and symptoms may suggest a
stroke.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call
your doctor right away. The cause of the blood clot(s) needs to be found and
treated as soon as possible. You may need emergency care.
Complications of Blood Clots
Blood clots can form in or travel to the arteries or
veins in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and limbs. Blood clots can limit or
block blood flow. This can damage the body's organs and cause a number of
problems. In some cases, blood clots can be fatal.
Stroke
A blood clot in the brain can cause a stroke. A
stroke occurs when blood flow to your brain is cut off. If blood flow is cut
off for more than a few minutes, the cells in your brain start to die. This
impairs the parts of the body that the brain cells control.
A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term
disability, paralysis (an inability to move), or death.
Heart Attack
A blood clot in the heart can lead to a heart
attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle
becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn't restored quickly, the section of
heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.
This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may
cause severe or long-lasting problems such as
heart
failure or
arrhythmias
(irregular heartbeats).
Kidney Problems and Kidney Failure
A blood clot in the kidneys can lead to kidney
problems or
kidney failure. Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no
longer remove fluids and waste from your body.
This causes a buildup of these fluids and waste in
your body,
high
blood pressure, and other health problems.
Pulmonary Embolism
If a blood clot travels from a deep vein in the body
to the lungs, it's called a pulmonary embolism, or PE. PE is a serious
condition that can damage your lungs and other organs and cause low oxygen
levels in your blood.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A blood clot in a vein deep in your arm or leg can
cause pain, swelling, redness, or increased warmth in the affected limb. This
type of clot is called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. These clots also can break
off, travel to the lungs, and cause PE.
Pregnancy-Related Problems
Blood clots can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, and
other pregnancy-related problems, such as
preeclampsia (pre-e-KLAMP-se-ah). Preeclampsia is high blood
pressure that occurs during pregnancy. |