Normally, when your skin starts to bleed after a cut, the blood soon begins to coagulate, or clot, sealing the wound to stop the bleeding and prevent infection.

Blood clots can also form when poor circulation in the deep veins of the legs, thighs, and pelvis causes the blood to coagulate into clumps. These types of clots are referred to as deep vein thrombosis(DVT). 

Usually, a blood clot in the leg is no big deal. However, they can become dislodged within the vein and begin to drift through the bloodstream. If their journey takes them into the veins of the heart or lungs, the results can be serious, even fatal. Over 100,000 people die from a pulmonary embolism (PE) and other blood clot-related conditions each year.

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Risk Factors for Developing Blood Clots

Almost anyone can develop blood clots. However, certain factors can increase the risks of developing blood clots. If you have had DVT or PE, or have a family history of DVT, you are at risk of developing blood clots. Your age and weight may also place you at greater risk of blood clots. Other factors include:

• damage to the vein due to a fracture, muscle injury, or surgery
• slow blood flow due to limited movement, such as sitting for a long time
• increased levels of estrogen
• pregnancy
• cancer
• heart and lung disease
• inflammatory bowel disease.

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Warning Signs: Blood Clot Symptoms

Do you think you might have DVT? Recognizing blood clot symptoms could save your life. Warning signs that you may have blood clots include:

• swelling in the leg or arm
• cramping pains
• tenderness or pain that's not the result of an injury
• warmth or discoloration (red or blue) to the skin in the area that's in pain or swollen

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Don't put off seeing a vein doctor if you experience any of these blood clot symptoms.

When a blood clot begins to interfere with the normal functioning of the heart or lungs, it causes a PE. If you start to have difficulty breathing, racing or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, coughing up blood, lightheadedness, or lose consciousness, you may be experiencing a PE and need to seek immediate emergency medical attention. Call 911. PEs can be fatal.

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Blood Clot Treatments

Don't ignore your blood clot symptoms. DVT can be a serious medical problem if left undiagnosed or treated. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for individuals with PVT, including medications, vascular filters, and compression stockings. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, getting more exercise, and quitting smoking can reduce the chances of developing new blood clots.

Simple exercises like leg raises, ankle flexing, and calf raises can be performed while sitting and are great ways to keep your blood circulating. When you're away from the couch or desk, try running, walking, swimming, biking, and other physical activity that involves lots of leg movement to help prevent blood clots.

You may also be able to control your blood clots through diet. Foods such as ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon are thought to act as natural blood thinners that could reduce your risk of developing blood clots.

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Concord Blood Clot Doctors

Early diagnosis and treatment of blood clots are critical to preventing pulmonary embolisms and other serious medical conditions. If you live in Concord or other East Bay Area communities and have blood clot symptoms, schedule an appointment with the BASS Vein Center at (925)281-5912 today. Our team of highly trained and experienced East Bay Area’s vein specialists is here to treat your DVT before it becomes a serious problem.