Warning Signs of Blood Clots

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that have partially solidified in a blood vessel. Clotting is a natural and essential process that stops bleeding when you’re injured. However, some blood clots can form anywhere along the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the body and are most likely to happen in the veins. These are called venous blood clots. The most common kinds of venous blood clots are:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- DVT usually forms in the legs in the deep veins of the body. Thrombosis is when clots stay put and block blood flow.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)- Embolisms are blood clots that break free and travel to other parts of the body. If a DVT breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can create a pulmonary embolism.

Arterial clots are less common, occurring when a blood clot clogs an artery. These clots can block oxygen from reaching the heart or brain, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Anyone can develop a blood clot; however, certain factors can increase the risk of developing them, including:

Prolonged immobility, such as during long flights or hospital stays

Surgery, especially involving the legs, hips, or abdomen

Pregnancy and the postpartum period

Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy

Smoking

Obesity

Family history of blood clots or clotting disorders

Cancer or cancer treatments

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a blood clot can be lifesaving. Here are the signs and symptoms to watch out for:

Swelling in one limb

Pain or tenderness in the affected area

Red or discolored skin

Warmth in the skin

Sudden shortness of breath

Chest pain

Coughing, possibly with blood

Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

Leg fatigue or heaviness

Dizziness or fainting

Blood clots are known to be silent killers as their symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other, less serious conditions. That’s why it is crucial to understand and recognize the signs and symptoms of blood clots, especially if you are at an increased risk of developing them. Awareness and timely action can help prevent major complications from a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack.

If you are experiencing symptoms of a blood clot or think you may be at risk of developing one, you can schedule an appointment with one of our vascular surgeons in NYC or learn more about the services at our vascular surgery center in New York. Please call 718-206-6713.

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.

Blood Clots

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that form in your arteries and veins. Blood clots help control bleeding, but can also cause serious medical issues like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack.

Blood clots are the first line of defense if something damages your blood vessels. This is why bleeding usually stops after a few minutes when you cut yourself. You can also develop a blood clot when you have been immobile for a long time or have medical conditions that increase your risk of getting them.

Blood clots are made of small colorless fragments of cells produced by your bone marrow called platelets. They are also made of a sticky blood protein that looks like strings called fibrin. Platelets and fibrin work together to seal injured areas of your blood vessels.

You can have blood clots anywhere in your body. When they develop in the veins of your arms and legs it’s called deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots that form in the arteries of your lungs are called pulmonary embolism. A stroke occurs when blood clots block blood flow to your brain. When blood clots are in your heart, they can cause a heart attack.

If you are experiencing leg pain, swollen legs, or skin discoloration, these may be symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Chest pain or shortness of breath can be symptoms of blood clots in your lungs or heart.

Some other possible symptoms of blood clots to be mindful of include:

A cough that produces blood sputum
A fast heartbeat
Lightheadedness
Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, or jaw
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Some conditions focus on blood clots such as blood clotting issues. Some blood clotting disorders include:

Factor V Leiden- an inherited disorder and most common blood clotting disorder. It slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Prothrombin Gene Mutation- an inherited condition that slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome- an autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of blood clots.

People who have an increased risk of developing blood clots include:

People 65 years of age or older
Pregnancy
People who are obese
People who have cancer
Those on birth control or hormone therapy
Smokers
Immobile people

Ways to reduce the risk of developing blood clots include:

Avoid sitting for long periods
Drinking plenty of fluids
Changing your lifestyle

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Signs and Symptoms Of A Blood Clot

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Xavia Malcolm

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