Symptoms of a Dangerous Blood Clot
Blood clots are clumps of congealed blood.
They usually don’t do any harm to our health as they help stop the
bleeding when we cut ourselves. However, when they appear in our deep
veins, they can be extremely dangerous.
This dangerous kind of clot is known as
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it can cause serious traffic jams in
your blood circulation. There can also be deadly consequences if a blood
clot breaks away from the place it started and reaches your heart or
lungs.
Below are 10 warning signs of DVT that should not be ignored!
1. A Racing Heart
If you have a blood clot in your heart, you
might feel it flutter in your chest. In this case, tachycardia can be
caused by a low level of oxygen in your lungs. As a result, your heart
tries to make up for the shortage and starts to beat faster and faster.
2. Shortness of Breath
If you suddenly realized that it has become difficult for you to take
deep breaths, it might be a symptom of a blood clot in your lung, which
is called a pulmonary embolism.
3. Coughing without Any Reason
If you occasionally have unexpected attacks of dry coughing as well as
shortness of breath, chest pain, and increased heart rate, it could be a
pulmonary embolism. You might also cough up blood and mucus.
4. Chest Pain
If you have chest pain when you breathe
deeply, it could be a symptom of a pulmonary embolism. The pain in your
chest will usually be sharp and stabbing, and you might easily think
that you’re having a heart attack. The main difference between the two
is that a pulmonary embolism always gets worse with breathing. In any
case, you should call 911 immediately as they both can be fatal.
5. Red or Dark Discoloration on a Leg
Red or dark spots on your skin that appear without reason could be a
symptom of a blood clot in your leg. You might also feel tenderness and
warmth in this area and pain while stretching your toes upward.
6. Arm or Leg Pain
Although you usually need to have several symptoms in order to diagnose
DVT, the only sign of this serious condition might be pain. Pain from a
blood clot can be easily mistaken for muscle cramp, but this kind of
pain usually occurs when you’re walking or flexing your feet upward.
7. Swelling in a Limb
If you have suddenly noticed that one of your ankles has become bloated,
it could be a sign of DVT. This condition is an emergency as the clot
may break free at any moment and start traveling towards your vital
organs.
8. Red Streak on Your Skin
Have you noticed red streaks suddenly
appearing along your veins? Do they feel warm when you touch them? If
so, this might not be a normal bruise, and you need to seek immediate
medical attention.
9. Vomiting
This could be a sign that you have a blood clot in your abdomen. This
condition is called mesenteric ischemia, and it is usually coupled with
severe abdominal pain. If your intestines don’t get enough blood supply,
you might also experience nausea and blood in your stool.
10. Partial or Complete Blindness in an Eye
Painless loss of vision in one of your eyes is usually a sign of central
retinal occlusion. It’s considered a serious medical emergency,
especially if you have vertigo and problems with keeping your balance.