Veins are low-pressure vessels that carry deoxygenated blood away from the body's organs and back to the heart. An abnormal clot that forms in a vein may restrict the return of blood to the heart and can result in pain and swelling as the blood gathers behind the clot.
Deep vein thrombosis DVT is a type of clot that forms in a major vein of the leg or, less commonly, in the arms, pelvis, or other large veins in the body. In some cases, a clot in a vein may detach from its point of origin and travel through the heart to the lungs where it becomes wedged, preventing adequate blood flow.
This is called a pulmonary lung embolism PE and can be extremely dangerous. It is estimated that each year DVT affects as many as , 1 people in the United States and kills up to , Do you understand your risk?
Arteries, on the other hand, are muscular, high-pressure vessels that carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. When your doctor measures your blood pressure, the test results are an indicator of the pressure in your arteries.
Clotting that occurs in arteries is usually associated with atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries , a deposit of plaque that narrows the inside of the vessel. As the arterial passage narrows, the strong arterial muscles continue to force blood through the opening, and the high pressure can cause the plaque to rupture.
Molecules released in the rupture cause the body to overreact and form an unnecessary clot in the artery, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke. Managing Editor: Tianna Hicklin, Ph.
Illustrator: Alan Defibaugh. Attention Editors: Reprint our articles and illustrations in your own publication. Our material is not copyrighted.
For more consumer health news and information, visit health. For wellness toolkits, visit www. Site Menu Home. January Print this issue. Related Stories. Back to Top. A CT scan of the chest if a pulmonary embolism is suspected. Many risk factors and illnesses increase your risk of getting a blood clot. Risk factors include:. Inactivity related to an injury or a long car or plane trip.
Having surgery or being in the hospital for an extended period. Damage to your blood vessel from an injury. Taking some medications such as birth control pills. Inherited blood clotting tendencies. Blood that is stagnant or still tends to clot. Injury also causes a reaction in your blood that increases the risk of clotting. The genetic makeup of your blood, as well as illness, can also make clotting more likely.
The best way to prevent blood clots is to stay active and avoid sitting for long periods of time. Other things to keep in mind:. When traveling by car or plane, take frequent breaks and move around. Maintain a good body weight and stay hydrated. Talk to your doctor about preventing clots after surgery. Diagnosing a blood clot by symptoms alone is very difficult.
Symptoms that come out of nowhere are especially concerning. Call your local emergency services immediately if you experience any of the following:.
In many cases, the first step will be a noninvasive ultrasound. This test will show an image of your veins or arteries, which can help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have a blood clot? We explain some of the classic signs with help from three medical experts. Blood clotting is a normal function that occurs when you have an injury. Find out what happens if clot doesn't dissolve or forms in a blood vessel. Where can blood clots form in your body?
How do blood clots form? Get the answer to these and other questions here. View a table on different types of…. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease affecting the spine, but most people who have it lead active lives. Read more about its effects. The hormones released can also help with cramps, acne, and more. Learn how your body if effected by BC. My active lifestyle and birth control created the perfect situation for a blood clot to form.
This is what happened. Damage to blood vessels can cause bruising and blood clots, but the two conditions have many differences.
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