Blood Clot Symptoms

Blood clots have a beneficial function, but when they form due to a combination of risk factors, they can become a risk to the life of the patient. Depending on her symptoms, she could be at risk of a stroke, heart attack or a pulmonary embolus, which is a clot that has broken loose and moved to the lungs. Regardless of her symptoms, she needs medical attention immediately.

Definition/Causes

• A blood clot is a mechanism by the body to assist the body in repairing a broken blood vessel. Platelets and related chemicals start the clotting process; fibrin, a protein in blood, creates links with itself to make a "mesh" that creates the final formation of a blood clot. Clots form when a blood vessel is injured; it can take place in an artery or a vein. The injury can be something that happens microscopically, or it can be as obvious as a cut in the vessel, which requires a clot to stop the bleeding. Blood will also clot when it stops moving in the veins and arteries because the blood becomes stagnant.

Symptoms

• When someone notices symptoms of a possible blood clot, he may be surprised by how suddenly they appear. He may become dizzy with no warning, which could mean a blood clot in the brain that requires immediate medical attention. Sudden blindness (total or partial) could signal a retinal clot. A painful, blue, hard bulge in an arm or leg, coupled with weakness and numbness tells him he has a serious medical problem and needs immediate medical attention. He will notice swelling, pain that grows slowly, leg pain that gets worse when he bends his foot, nighttime leg cramps, warmth to the touch, redness and a bluish or white discoloration of his skin.

Symptoms of Clots Near Arteries or Lungs

• Skin ulcers or blisters can indicate a problem with a blood clot. This indicates a lack of blood is reaching the area, because a blood clot prevents blood from getting where it is needed. A blood clot in an artery close to the heart or lungs can cause decreased activity. The heart may exhibit symptoms that point to decreased blood flow. In the event of a blood clot near the lungs, the patient could develop difficulty breathing. If blood flow is blocked to a particular area of the body, such as an arm or a leg, gangrene could result. Gangrene is the death of body tissue because of lack of blood flow.

Significance of Symptoms

• If a blood clot reaches the patient's lung (this is called a pulmonary embolus), it's a life-threatening situation. She needs immediate emergency medical attention and should go to her local emergency room in order to begin receiving treatment. If she has any risk factors for a blood clot in the leg, she should go to her emergency room and seek emergency treatment right away.

Risks

• Risks include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, a family history and high cholesterol. If the patient is not moving, she is at risk for developing a blood clot. Broken bones and having a cast put on increase the risk level. There are also genetic risk factors, as well as risks associated with pregnancy because the larger uterus could slow blood flow to the heart.