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Four Signs A Dangerous Blood Clot Could Have Reached The Lungs - 'Call 999'
British Heart Foundation: Understanding blood clotsA blood clot is a mass of blood cells and other substances that form in blood vessels.
A certain amount of clotting is necessary as it prevents excessive bleeding.
However, clots that do not dissolve by themselves are a hazard.
This is because they can travel around the body potentially blocking blood flow to vital organs.
If this occurs it is essential you seek immediate medical attention.
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One medical emergency that is caused by blood clots is a pulmonary embolism.
This happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your lungs, and can be life-threatening.
The NHS urges you to call 999 or attend A&E if you experience any of four symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.
These include if:
However, the condition can also cause you to:
If you experience either of these signs you should get an "urgent" GP appointment or call 111, the health body says.
Risk of pulmonary embolismAccording to the NHS, a pulmonary embolism "often" happens when part of a clot dislodges itself from the leg, travelling up to the lungs.
A blood clot in the leg is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Several factors can increase your risk of DVT including if you:
But your chances can also be raised by recent events such as if you:
Therefore to lower your risk of a DVT the NHS recommends maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and drinking plenty of fluids.
It also advises avoiding:
Symptoms of DVT in the leg include:
Treatment for DVT and pulmonary embolism include taking anticoagulant medications to thin the blood.
In rare cases, surgery can be performed to remove a clot from the lungs.
If you think you could have DVT you should speak to your doctor.
Blood Clot Signs You Should Never Ignore Before Symptoms Become Life Threatening
Blood clots serve a vital purpose as they control bleeding in our bodies, but they can be life threatening if not urgently treated.
Clots that form in the body when they're not needed can lead to heart attack and stroke. Their severity depends on where they form in the body and move - for example, ischemic stroke happens when blood clots block the flow of oxygen to the brain and kill cells.
There are everyday factors that can increase your chance of developing blood clots. According to the NHS, staying in or recently left hospital, smoking, and being overweight mean you are more likely to get them.
Medication can increase the chances — people taking hormonal contraception such as the pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring are also at risk.
The seriousness of clots increase as they start moving through the bloodstream. For instance, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein that's usually in the leg and can be very dangerous.
Clots require urgent medical attention and, for that reason, it's critical to spot the condition in its early stages. Dissolved with an injection. Require urgent medical attention.
Here are four symptoms of blood clots you should never ignore, as reported by the Mirror.
Blood clot symptoms
© Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Blood clot, 3d illustration. The NHS says there are two key signs of a blood clot:
And according to WebMD, four symptoms warning of a blood clot include:
This occurs as blood flow through the lungs is dramatically decreased, which in turn reduces the amount of blood flowing to the neighbouring organs.
Patients may occasionally cough up blood or may experience pain in the chest and dizziness, all of which warrant going to A&E.
SwellingWhen a clot slows or stops the flow of blood, it can build up in the vessel and make it swell.
"If it happens in your lower leg or calf, it's often a sign of DVT," explains WebMD.
That's not all though as the health site added: "But you also can have a clot in your arms or belly. Even after it goes away, one in three people still have swelling and sometimes pain and sores from damage to the blood vessel."
Skin colour changeThere have also been cases where a person's skin gives off a discoloured white tone warning something is not right. The health platform Blood Clot Recovery explains that "changes in skin colour, such as turning pale, red or blue or purple", can be indicative of deep vein thrombosis.
PainSymptoms of a blood clot include a throbbing or cramping pain. The leg pain or discomfort may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness or general soreness.
The affected area where the blood clot may also feel warm to the touch.
How to prevent blood clotsThe NHS advises people to do the following:
Whereas these three actions are don'ts:
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Blood clots are a necessary function of the human body, but there are times it can result in serious conditions like stroke, heart attack and in some cases - death.
Most of the time, they serve to stop bleeding from a cut or wound, but they also occur in parts of the body that don't require them. Their severity depends on their location, but become more serious once they move through the bloodstream.
For example, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg that doesn't move - and can be very dangerous as they can stall blood flow. Another example of a serious blood clot is an embolus, which breaks free to move around the body.
Causes of blood clots vary, but they are mainly a result of living an unhealthy lifestyle. According to the NHS, if you smoke, are overweight, or are sedentary, you may be at higher risk of suffering a blood clot.
Also, women who are on hormonal contraception such as the pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring are also at risk, as the extra hormones increase the amount of clotting proteins.
Blood clots can be dissolved with certain injections, but only if spotted early and can be fatal if not treated in time. Therefore, it's crucial to know the condition's key warning signs.
Blood clot symptoms which have formed deep within the veins are mostly concentrated in the legs. If you think you might have a blood clot, the NHS advises to call 111 for advice.
It warns to call 999 or visit A&E if you or someone you know is struggling to breathe or pass out
Most Read {{#articles}} {{/articles}}Here are the four blood clot symptoms you should never ignore.
Blood clot symptoms Swelling and redness caused by a blood clot in the left leg(Image: NHS)According to the NHS, the main signs of blood clots include:
Symptoms of a blood clot include a throbbing or cramping pain.
The leg pain or discomfort may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness or general soreness.
SwellingThis symptom occurs due to the halt of blood flow.
If this occurs in the legs, it is usually a sign of Deep Vein Thrombosis. However, it can also appear in other parts of the body.
Redness and warmthThere have also been cases where a person's skin gives off a discoloured white tone warning something is not right.
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{{/articles}}Skin colour changes can also range from pale white, to blue and purple. The affected area where the blood clot may also feel warm to the touch.
BreathlessnessTrouble breathing is due to a dramatic decrease of blood flow through the lungs, which reduces blood flow to other organs.
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Pain in the chest and coughing up blood is often seen in patients with blood clots and anyone who experiences all three should contact medical professionals.
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