Blood Clotting: Causes and Treatment Options

Types of Blood Clots

Arterial clots

• Form in the arteries
• Immediate signs
• Prevent oxygen flow to vital organs
• Can lead to stroke, heart attack, severe abdominal pain, and paralysis

Venous Clots

• Form slowly in the veins.
• Signs include swelling, redness, numbness, and pain.
• Gradually noticed.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• Clots form in the main veins inside the body.
• Commonly occurs in the legs, but also in the arms, pelvis, lungs, or brain.

Superficial Vein Thrombosis

• Forms in veins near the skin's surface
• Typically does not travel through the bloodstream

What Causes Blood Clots?

Blood clots can form due to injury or within blood vessels without an obvious trigger. These clots can travel and cause harm. Sometimes, they form without a clear cause.

Blood Clot Symptoms

• Throbbing or cramping discomfort
• Swelling
• Alterations in skin colour
• Increased warmth in the affected arm or leg
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Intensifying chest pain upon inhalation
• Coughing

Conditions and Disorders That Cause Blood Clots

Conditions that Lead to Blood Clots:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot forms in the body's deep veins, usually in the legs, and can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): An irregular heartbeat increases the risk of blood clots forming in the heart, which can lead to a stroke.
• Heart Disease: Coronary artery disease and other heart conditions can lead to the development of blood clots within arteries that supply blood to the heart, increasing the risk of a heart attack.
• Stroke: Blood clots may obstruct blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.
• Cancer: Certain types of cancer, including lung, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal, can make blood clots more likely.
• Pregnancy: The hormonal changes and pressure on the veins during pregnancy can increase the chances of blood clot formation.
• Obesity: Extra weight puts extra strain on veins, leading to blood clotting.

Blood Clotting Disorders

• Factor V Leiden Mutation: A genetic disease that increases the risk of venous thrombosis.
• Genetic Protein C and Protein S deficiency: These inherited conditions impair the body's natural mechanism to prevent blood clotting, resulting in an increased tendency to clotting.
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome: The same autoimmune disease that raises the risk for blood clots.
• Polycythemia Vera: A condition where the body makes too many red blood cells, which leads to a higher risk of blood clots.
• Thrombophilia: A group of worsened disorders that defiantly develop blood clots
• Chronic Inflammatory Conditions: Disorders that cause chronic inflammation in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, increase the risk of blood clots forming.

When to Visit a Doctor?

It is very difficult to diagnose a blood clot just from the signs. That's why it's best to call your doctor if you think you might have one. Signs that appear out of nowhere are especially concerning.

Emergency Situations

Call emergency services if you experience:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pressure
• Difficulty breathing, seeing, or speaking

Seeking Medical Attention

Your healthcare professional will assess your symptoms. Further testing may be needed. The initial step often involves non-invasive ultrasound, helps in diagnosing vein or artery issues.

Risk Factors of Blood Clots Include

• Age, especially if you are over 65
• Trips over four hours of sitting are considered long.
• Bed rest or a sedentary lifestyle for long periods
• Smoking
• Birth control pills/hormone replacement therapy/breast cancer drugs
• Certain types of cancer (pancreas, lung, multiple myeloma, or blood-related cancers)
• Some types of major surgery
• Family history of blood clots
• Diseases related to chronic inflammation
• Certain infections (HIV / AIDS, hepatitis C, or Lyme disease)

Diagnosis of Blood Clots

The location of the blood clot and its effect on blood flow are what causes the signs. If a blood clot or thrombus is considered, the history may explore risk factors or situations that could put the patient at risk of forming a clot.

• Ultrasound:
• Ultrasound is widely used for diagnosing blood clots.
• Uses sound waves to create images of blood vessels, such as arteries and veins.
• Shows interrupted blood flow if there's a clot.
• Venogram:
• Dye was injected into the vein.
• The X-ray was taken to visualize the area.
• The dye highlights veins for easy clot detection.
• Chest CT-Angiography:
• Detects pulmonary embolism.
• Commonly caused by a dislodged leg or pelvic clot.
• A Chest X-ray may be recommended for other conditions.
• Abdomen/Pelvic CT Angiography:
• Used if the blood clot is suspected in the abdomen or pelvis.
• Rules out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Treatment of Blood Clots

• A blood clot is treated based on its location.
• Oral anticoagulants are the most common treatments for blood clots.
• Some medications can be given through a catheter (a long, thin tube) that is inserted into the area of the clot.
• Some clots can be removed surgically.
• Talk to your physician if you are pregnant. Medications can pose risks to the fetus.
• If your blood clot is because of an infection, your physician can treat the infection and decrease the risk of a clot.

Prevention of Blood Clots

• Stay physically active and avoid prolonged periods of sitting or lying down.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on blood vessels.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep blood flow smooth.
• Wear compression stockings if recommended, especially during travel or recovery from surgery.
• Manage chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• Move around frequently during long trips or sedentary work hours.
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Avoid excessive alcohol intake, which can interfere with blood clotting factors.

Home Remedies for Blood Clots

• Avoid prolonged sitting.
• Take short walks every hour, especially if working at a desk or travelling by plane.
• Move around after surgery or follow your doctor's advice on bed rest.
• Wear loose clothing, especially on the lower body.
• Use compression stockings.
• Quit smoking.
• Stay hydrated and reduce salt intake.
• Exercise regularly.
• Don't sit or stand for more than an hour continuously.
• Avoid crossing legs or activities that impact the legs.
• Elevate legs above heart level when lying down.