According to the American Society of Hematology, “Blood clotting is an important process that prevents, excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.” Typically, once injuries have healed, our bodies naturally dissolve clots- allowing blood vessels to function normally when transporting blood.
However, there are instances in which blood clots do not form as a result of injury and do not dissolve on their own. Blood clots may also form as a result of complications caused by obesity, pregnancy, prolonged sitting, smoking, certain medications or diseases. When clots do not dissolve they can lead to serious health issues such as stroke or heart attack.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a blood clot can help you to recognize a potential threat to your health and seek treatment in a timely manner. Signs and symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Change in color in arms or legs
- Pain in chest, arms or legs
- Lower leg cramps
- A warm spot on the leg
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Nausea or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Blood in urine
- Fever
- Light-headedness
- Headache
- Speech or vision difficulties
If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention right away. This may save your life or reduce the severity of certain complications. Treatment is determined by the location of the blood clot and may include surgery or medication (anticoagulants or thrombolytics).
To schedule a visit with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.