The NHS has sounded the alarm for immediate action should you spot any of two critical signs that might indicate a potentially fatal blood clot. It’s crucial to recognise these symptoms since they can mean that a clot has travelled to the lungs and immediate medical help is required.
“Blood clots can be very serious and need to be treated quickly,” the health service warns. The creation of clots is a normal response to prevent excessive bleeding when injured, but when these clots fail to dissolve naturally, they can create dangerous blockages in blood circulation, leading to significant health hazards.
Commonly starting as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within a leg or arm vein, clots may cause painful throbbing in the calf or thigh muscles, usually while on your feet or walking, swelling restricted to one leg, skin warmth in the vicinity of the pain, or a patch of red or darkened skin, which might be hard to distinguish in individuals with brown or black skin.
As reported by GloucestershireLive, you may also notice swollen veins that are sore or delicate to touch. The NHS further notes: “These symptoms can also happen in your arm or tummy if that’s where the blood clot is.”
However, it is especially concerning when a clot dislodges and finds its way to vital organs such as the brain or lungs. As such, the NHS advises immediate contact with emergency services via 999 or heading straight to A&E if you experience symptoms of DVT like pain and swelling, and:
- Breathlessness
- Chest pain.
These could be indicative of a pulmonary embolism, warns the NHS. “DVT can be very serious because blood clots can travel to your lungs. ” it cautions.
“This is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs treatment straight away.”
In such instances, it’s vital not to drive yourself to A&E. Instead, the NHS advises: “Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.”
There are a number of factors that can make a blood clot more likely to form. These include if you:
- Have varicose veins
- Are over 60
- Have had DVT before
- Have cancer or heart failure
- Take the contraceptive pill or HRT
- Smoke
- Are overweight
There are also some times when you have a higher chance of getting DVT. These include if you:
- Are staying in or recently left hospital – especially if you cannot move around much (like after an operation)
- Are dehydrated
- Go on a long journey (more than three hours) by plane, car or train
- Are confined to bed
- Are pregnant or if you’ve had a baby in the previous six weeks
Despite these risks, sometimes DVT can occur for “no obvious reason”. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise your risk of getting a blood clot. These are:
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration – DVT is more likely if you’re dehydrated
- Do not drink lots of alcohol
- Stay active – taking regular walks can help
- Do not cross your legs while you’re sitting
- Do not sit still for long periods of time – get up and move around every hour or so
- Stay a healthy weight
- Do not smoke
If you are diagnosed with a blood clot you might be prescribed blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin. You may also need surgery to remove blood clots or stop them forming.