Blood clots affect 900,000 Americans every year, and 33% of these people will have another episode within ten years of diagnosis.
Blood clots can happen to anyone at any time. So if you don’t already know about your blood clotting risk, it’s time to learn. But what are the signs of a blood clot?
Luckily, a few telltale symptoms tell you when you need to seek a doctor’s advice; early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preserving life, so make sure you know what to look out for.
Read on for a brief guide to blood clots.
1. Limb Pain and Swelling
The most common symptoms of blood clots are pain and swelling in your lower leg, but it can also occur in the thighs or arms. The severity of symptoms will depend on the size of your blood clot, but you should always seek medical advice if you notice this.
You may be able to take a blood thinner, for which you can check pricing here, or require emergency treatment.
2. Skin Redness or Warmth
Alongside pain and swelling, the collection of blood to a specific area will usually cause red, inflamed skin. If you notice discoloration and warmth in a particular place on your limbs, this may be due to a blood clot.
However, if your blood clot is small, you might not notice this symptom, so you should still seek advice if you have other symptoms.
3. Visible Veins
If your blood clot has become severe, you may be able to see the veins affected by the clot. As blood is blocked from being circulated around the body, it’ll build up in the problem area.
If you notice visible veins that you couldn’t see before, you should monitor any further changes, take photos of them, and get advice from a doctor or pharmacist.
4. Chest Pain and Breathlessness
A blood clot in the heart (pulmonary embolism) will lead to a heart attack if left untreated. The first symptoms of blood clots in the heart are chest pain and breathlessness. If you experience these symptoms, you should always get emergency medical care.
5. Severe Headache
A blood clot in the brain (otherwise known as a stroke) can happen to anyone and often causes a sudden, severe headache. The risk factors and causes of blood clots in the brain are similar to other blood clots; smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
A headache is a common symptom that isn’t usually caused by a blood clot. However, if it starts suddenly without any warning, you should get immediate emergency care.
Save Lives by Knowing the Signs of a Blood Clot
That’s a whistlestop tour of everything you need to know about blood clots. If you notice any of these signs of a blood clot in yourself or a loved one, you should always take them seriously.
Acting quickly could be the difference between a full recovery and death, so don’t be complacent.
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