Blood clots can pose a significant health risk. The clotting process is essential for normal body function, but when they don’t dissolve properly, clots can lodge in a vein or artery, blocking blood flow and oxygen to your organs.
This can cause heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms, potentially putting your life in danger. Therefore, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs and seek immediate medical help if you have any concerns. Here are the nine warning signs and symptoms of blood clots.
Cramps when walking
Also known as claudication, this symptom manifests as cramp-like pain in the leg muscles when walking, which disappears with rest. This pain may be more common in smokers, people who are overweight, or those with diabetes. If the pain returns after walking the same distance each time and subsides with rest, a clot may be the cause. Accompanied by swelling, redness, and a feeling of warmth at the painful area, it is important to consult a doctor.
Acute Chest Pain
Also known as pulmonary embolism, this condition is characterized by sudden, sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing for no apparent reason. It occurs when a blood clot breaks free from a deeper vessel and becomes stuck in the lungs, preventing adequate oxygenation of the blood. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
Numbness on One Side of the Body
Cerebral ischemia, or stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot. People with arteries clogged with cholesterol plaques are at higher risk. Symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding, dizziness, and severe headaches. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
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