Blood Clots: The Most Common Killer You May Be Ignoring...

Blood Clots: The Most Common Killer You May Be Ignoring...

Blood clots are a natural part of our body's healing process and play an important role in wound healing. When we suffer an injury, blood clots form to stop bleeding and allow healing. However, blood clots can sometimes form in our veins even when there is no injury. This can be a serious health problem and should not be ignored. Early detection and treatment of such internal blood clots is crucial to prevent life-threatening conditions.

Blood clots form when platelets and proteins in the plasma combine over an injury site and form a clot that stops bleeding. Typically, the clot will resolve on its own once the injury has healed. However, sometimes blood clots form in our blood vessels, even without injury, and do not resolve on their own. Such clots can be dangerous.

There are different types of blood clots that can have different health effects. An arterial blood clot forms in an artery and is often associated with atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries and causes narrowing. If the plaque ruptures, the body can overreact and form an unnecessary clot. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke and cause significant damage to the brain or heart.

Venous blood clots can restrict blood flow in the veins and cause pain and swelling. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the most serious form of venous blood clot. This is when a clot forms in a main vein in the leg, arm, pelvis, or another large vein in the body. In some cases, a clot can break loose and travel to the lungs, where it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), DVT affects up to 900,000 Americans each year, and about 100,000 of these cases are fatal. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of blood clots early to allow timely treatment.

Here are six common symptoms of blood clots that could potentially save your life:

1. Sudden swelling: If an ankle or shinbone suddenly swells, it may indicate a blood clot in the lower leg. Other symptoms include pain, tenderness, warmth and a reddish discoloration at the site.

2. A racing heartbeat: A rapid heartbeat can indicate a blood clot in the lungs. This happens due to restricted blood flow to the lungs.

3. Chest pain: Stabbing pain in the chest, especially when breathing deeply, may indicate a pulmonary embolism. Difficulty breathing deeply can also be a sign of a blood clot. This pain can also occur when coughing, bending, or stooping.

4. Unexplained cough: A sudden dry cough for no apparent reason may indicate a blood clot. If bloody sputum accompanies the cough, you should see a doctor immediately.

5. Vomiting: Severe, sudden abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting may indicate mesenteric ischemia or an abdominal blood clot. Other symptoms may include fever or urgent bowel movements.

6. Vision problems: Blurred vision or complete loss of vision in one eye may indicate a central retinal artery occlusion, a blood clot in a vessel that carries blood to the eye's retina. Symptoms include sudden blindness in one eye