What are the dangers of blood clots and how to avoid their occurrence, explained the doctor

MD, pediatrician, nutritionist, co-founder of UniProf Academy of Physicians

What are blood clots? Where do they arise from? What should you do if you have a blood clot?

First, let’s understand what a blood clot is. It is a blood clot that attaches to the wall of blood vessels and prevents its normal passage. Contributing to this process is a disorder of hematopoiesis.

What are the types of blood clots

In general, thrombi are formed in the body constantly to “patch” damaged vessels and capillaries. This is the absolute norm until they become too numerous.

Thrombi can form in veins and arteries (venous and arterial thrombosis).

Superficial vein thrombosis is characterized by the following symptoms: varicose veins, thickening, pain and heaviness in the legs, swelling, redness of the skin in the area of the vein, general weakness, malaise.

Deep vein thrombosis can be asymptomatic, and can cause severe swelling of the limb. In this case, the skin area or the whole limb will turn white or even blue. A limp may also manifest itself.

Arterial thrombosis is characterized by a wider range of symptoms: different blood pressure when measured in both arms, pale and bluish skin, pain (even at rest), tissue die-off and ulcers.

To be 100% sure of the health or unhealthiness of the veins and blood vessels, an ultrasound should be done. The doctor may also order a CT scan or MRI.

Why blood clots occur

Among the direct causes of blood clots are:

• increased blood clotting;
• slow blood circulation.

Various factors can lead to these problems, including:

• bad habits (smoking, alcoholism) that affect blood quality and hematopoiesis;
• overweight, excessive strain on the limbs (heavy lifting);
• trauma and surgical intervention (minor injuries, sprains, ligament tears, vascular injuries);
• prolonged bed rest, sedentary lifestyle;
• stress and dehydration;
• taking medications that thicken the blood;
• unbalanced diet, which increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Why even athletes are susceptible to blood clots

There are several reasons for this. First, sports can be equated to stress. Secondly, frequent and prolonged dehydration thickens the blood if the drinking regimen of an athlete – especially a professional athlete – is not well established.

Runners and cyclists often have a lower resting heart rate than the average person. This also affects blood circulation. Athletes of these sports are prone to swelling of the extremities, and therefore, and injuries to blood vessels, thinning of their walls.

About what tests should be taken by athletes, read here.

What a person feels when a thrombus breaks off

Most often, patients with thrombosis and thrombophlebitis are shown to rest, as sharp movements, jumping, running can provoke the detachment of the thrombus. But a blood clot can break off without any apparent reason. Moreover, you may not even suspect its existence.

For example, if a clot breaks off in the blood vessels of the brain, a stroke occurs. Speech is disturbed, there is paralysis of the face (usually the left or right half), dizziness, paralysis of various parts of the body.

A thrombus in the jugular vein (in the neck) will cause dizziness, blurred consciousness, decreased visual acuity.

Blockage of the coronary artery leads to infarction – chest pain, heaviness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, pressure spikes.

Thrombus in the lungs is characterized by blueing of the skin, shortness of breath, accelerated heartbeat.

The very process of detachment of the thrombus is almost impossible to feel.

In fact, blood clots can break off every day – the danger depends on their number and size. As long as the clot does not block an important artery or vein, gives a normal passage for blood – no threat to life. But when it blocks the passage to the lungs, heart or brain – there are serious pathologies that can cost lives.

Can thrombosis be cured

Today, thrombosis is treated by two methods: medication and surgery. Patients are prescribed drugs that “thin” the blood, reducing the number of platelets, and surgical procedures are prescribed when indicated.

Thrombi are removed in several ways. The most popular are laser therapy and the method when the operation is carried out under local anesthesia and without incisions – the clot is extracted through small punctures in the vessels. It can also be done through an incision.

What happens if thrombosis is not treated

Deep vein thrombosis, which often does not manifest itself in any way, in 30% of cases leads to pulmonary embolism – sudden death within half an hour. If you do not treat varicose veins and inflammation of the walls of the veins in which the thrombus is formed, you can lose the ability of the limb and acquire tissue necrosis, which will develop into ulcers.

Read about how blood type affects nutrition and exercise here.

How to avoid blood clots

First of all, lead a fairly active lifestyle – try to knead the limbs as often as possible. In addition, it is important to monitor blood pressure, vascular health. Women are recommended to wear high-heeled shoes as little as possible. It is also important to give up smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, simple sugars. Weight and metabolic rate should be monitored.

• Make sure that there are no blood clots. If the age is over 40 years, there is a predisposition to thrombosis, according to the analysis the patient has a large number of platelets, and the condition of the circulatory system leaves much to be desired – undergo an ultrasound.
• If bad blood counts are detected, the doctor should prescribe corrective treatment, and also find out the cause that affected the patient’s condition.
• If a blood clot is detected – the doctor will help locate it and prescribe therapy. Surgery may be required to remove the blood clot.