Your Body Warns You Before a Blood Clot: 8 Hidden Signs You Should Never Ignore
It’s estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 people in the US die each year due to blood clots. Despite how common it is and the many medications available, too many people still die from blood clots, either seeking help too late or not at all. There are steps we can take to protect ourselves. By increasing awareness of the life-saving warning signals your body sends, we can encourage more people to seek treatment as early as possible.
A blood clot occurs when blood thickens in the blood vessels and forms a blockage. This makes it more difficult for normal blood flow to continue through the obstruction, and large blood clots can lead to serious conditions like heart attacks or heart failure. Often, it is not possible to explain why an individual gets a blood clot, and detection can be difficult because the symptoms may be mild.
Therefore, it is especially important to recognize your body’s warning signals so you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Below are 8 signals everyone should be aware of.
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Swollen calves
Blood clots often form in the calves. This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it occurs when blood flow is obstructed in a deep vein. This impaired circulation can lead to calf swelling, a common symptom of blood clots. Apart from swelling and a warm sensation, redness or discoloration can also be present. -
Pain or tenderness in the legs
Another common sign of DVT is pain in your legs, calves, or feet. Your calf may also feel sore or tense when squeezed. -
Red stripes along your veins
If you have prominent veins and notice red stripes running alongside them, it can be a sign of a blood clot. They can also be sore or warm, two other signs to look out for. -
Chest pain
If you develop a blood clot in your lungs, it must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. An important sign to look out for is a sharp, localized pain, which may feel like it’s on one side of your chest or in your back. You can also feel pressure in the center of your chest, which can be difficult to distinguish from other causes of chest pain. -
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing is a symptom that should never be ignored. If you notice you’re having trouble breathing, your heart is racing, you have a cold sweat and feel dizzy, or even faint, it can mean you have a blood clot in your lungs. If you experience all these symptoms simultaneously, it’s a warning sign that must not be ignored. You should seek treatment from your doctor immediately. -
Dry coughing
If you are not sick and develop an unexplained cough, you need to look out for other symptoms that could point to a blood clot in your lungs, such as heart palpitations, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, you may also cough up phlegm with visible traces of blood.
For example, in 2022, a seemingly innocuous dry cough evolved into a distressingly intense condition for professional footballer Hollie Olding. The situation took a harrowing turn when it was revealed that her persistent cough was not merely an ailment but rather a symptom of a blood clot lodged within her lungs. -
Vomiting and diarrhea
If you have a blood clot in your intestines, it can lead to sharp pains felt in your stomach and abdomen. You may feel unwell, nauseous, and have diarrhea with visible blood. -
Severe headache
A blood clot or bleeding in the brain is called a stroke. It leads to a lack of oxygen in the brain and can cause a severe headache. It can also cause sudden problems seeing or speaking. Other common symptoms of a stroke include numbness and paralysis (often on one side of the body), confusion, and dizziness.
