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Signs & Symptoms of a Blood Clotting Disorder

Blood is supposed to clot to stop bleeding, either on the surface of the skin or internally on broken blood vessels. Some people deal with blood that clots inside the veins and arteries, which can cause serious medical conditions and even death. Blood clots can happen for a number of reasons and often it is a one-time occurence, but some people have a blood clotting disorder that makes them more susceptible to repeated blood clots and puts them at an elevated danger for heart attack or stroke.

  1. Early Signs

    • The early symptoms of a blood clotting disorder are similar to the symptoms of a single blood clot. Internally, blood that clots easily will not slow as quickly. This slowed blood flow will lead to skin that looks too pale or even blue in the areas where blood flow is slowed. The skin in the area may become itchy. The person affected may complain of pain and swelling, especially in the face and abdomen.

    Serious Symptoms

    • If the blood clotting disorder is not diagnosed from the early symptoms, the disorder will progress to much more serious symptoms. A person with blood clotting issues may notice gums that bleed heavily. The person will begin to bruise easily and have shortness of breath. She may develop serious conditions such as gangrene, jaundice and ulcers. By the time these symptoms begin, a doctor is likely to see the connection and test for blood clotting disorders.

    Tests for Blood Clotting Disorders

    • A doctor will run many tests if he suspects a blood clotting disorder. The first test will be a blood test to check for clotting problems. If a clotting problem is indicated, more tests will be done to look for clots that have already developed in the patient's body. These tests may include ultrasounds, x-rays, MRIs and other imaging tests.

    Causes

    • There are many causes of blood clotting disorders. Some clotting disorders are genetic. This means that the person has no control over the disorder and did not do anything to create the problem. Other forms of clotting disorders develop due to lifestyle patterns or other diseases. A person who smokes is at high risk for a clotting disorder. A person who is severely overweight is likely to have blood clotting disorders as well. Finally, a person who has been hospitalized for long periods of time may be at high risk for developing a blood clotting disorder.

    Treatment

    • A person who has been diagnosed with a blood clot disorder after suffering from many of the signs and symptoms of the disorder will be put on a treatment plan. This plan will include taking blood thinners to keep the blood from clotting in the veins and arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. In addition, the person will need to be well educated on the early signs that a clot is forming so that the clot can be taken care of before it becomes serious.

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