How do I know if I have a blood clot?

There has been a lot of talk lately about blood clots. However, the average person doesn’t know much about blood clots and how they occur. The reality is that plenty of everyday things we do increase our risk of blood clots. Everyone must know the signs of a blood clot to prevent a catastrophe.

What Is A Blood Clot?

Whenever we hear the term “blood clot,” we always automatically think of something negative. In reality, blood clotting is a natural and important physical response to trauma. If our blood didn’t clot, even minor cuts and scrapes could cause us to bleed out until we die. Those clots then eventually dissolve when the wound is healed. (1)

Sometimes blood clots can move around the body when the situations that induced the clotting overwhelm those that dissolve them. If these clots don’t dissolve and grow too big, they can get stuck in places while passing through different organs, such as the lungs, heart, or brain. This, as you can imagine, can cause some serious health problems. (1)

The Signs Of A Blood Clot

As you can imagine, we need to know the signs of a blood clot to get proper medical attention before we have a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening health problem. Firstly, there are two types of blood clots: Arterial (in your arteries) and venous (in your veins). Arterial blood clots cause many symptoms very quickly and require immediate medical attention. Venous blood clots develop slowly over time but can be just as fatal. (2) Blood clots will often form in the legs, arms, heart, abdomen, brain, and lungs. The symptoms of each can vary a little. (2) Types of clots include:

Arm Clots

Signs of a blood clot in your arm include (2):

• Swelling
• Pain and tenderness
• A warm sensation
• A reddish discoloration

Clots In The Heart

Signs of a blood clot in your heart include (2):

• Chest pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath

Blood clots in your heart will cause a heart attack, so if you have symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. (2)

Clots In The Abdomen

Signs of a blood clot in the abdomen include (2):

• Abdominal pain and swelling

This doesn’t always signify a blood clot, but regardless of the cause you should visit your doctor. (2)

Clots In The Brain

Blood clots in the brain cause stroke. Signs of a blood clot in the brain include (2):

• A sudden, severe headache
• Sudden difficulty seeing or speaking

Clots In The Lungs

This is also known as a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms include (2):

• Sudden shortness of breath (not exercise-induced)
• Chest pain
• Rapid heart rate or palpitations
• Breathing problems
• Coughing up blood

Who Is At Risk For Blood Clots?

There are many risk factors for developing blood clots. The CDC estimates that pulmonary embolism combined with deep vein thrombosis (a clot that forms in a major vein deep inside our body) affects up to 900,000 Americans every year and kills about 100,000. (2) Risk factors include (2):

• A recent hospital stay, particularly long ones or those related to major surgery
• Age (65+ especially)
• Long-haul travel causes you to have to sit for long periods of time
• Bed rest or long periods of sedentary behavior
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Family history
• Smoking
• Cancer
• Some birth control pills

It is important that you discuss your risk factors with your doctor to ensure you have a proper plan in place to avoid developing blood clots and the health problems associated with them. (2)

Keep Reading: 9 Signs Your Body Sends You When Something May Be Wrong