Watch out for these signs and symptoms of blood clots!
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Thrombosis is a condition when blood clots develop in crucial arteries. This condition can cause dangerous complications within the lungs, and may also trigger heart attacks and strokes if the blood clot travels to these organs. Thrombosis is worryingly widespread and is the primary cause of preventable death globally. Yet there is hardly any awareness regarding this devastating condition. This could be chalked up to the misconception that thrombosis is rare among Indians. But the statistics state otherwise. Indians are just as likely to contract thrombosis as anyone else. Read on to know how you can identify it through the signs and symptoms of blood clots in your arteries.
Signs and symptoms of blood clots
Recognising the signs and symptoms of blood clots as early as possible can save your life. Here are some common indicators-
Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood clot in the legs or arms)
- Swelling of the arms or legs
- Skin temperature will be warm
- The arm or leg will feel tender and painful to touch
- The skin will seem discoloured
Pulmonary Embolism (Blood clot in the lungs)
- Persistent laboured breathing
- Frequent bouts of coughing
- Coughing up blood
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Chest pain
- Irregularity of the heartbeat
Why could blood clots happen to you?
Blood clots can develop in healthy individuals. If you live a sedentary life, there are high chances that you might contract it. Or if you have been hospitalized and your recuperation has made you stay in bed for long, blood clots could develop.Here are a few other factors that could up your risk of coming down with thrombosis-
- A knee or hip replacement surgery
- Any major surgery. Especially surgery of the pelvis, knee, abdomen or hip
- An extensive trauma
- Treatment of cancer
- Pregnancy and the six weeks following delivery
- Hormone therapy that uses oestrogen
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Being 55 or older
- Having to be confined to a wheelchair
- Family history of thrombosis
Preventing blood clots
Keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of blood clots in arteries. If you notice any indication, immediately book a doctor’s appointment. Also note that:
- As a regular individual, the sure-shot way of keeping clots at bay is by leading an active life. Move around and workout as much as possible. If your work involves sitting in a chair for hours on end, do a few simple leg exercises at your workstation. Take a stroll during office breaks.
- If you are overweight, immediately go on a diet and start exercising. You can drastically cut down the risk of developing thrombosis once you get in shape.
- If you know of someone in your family who had contracted thrombosis, advise them to consult a doctor without any delay.
- Since surgery is a major cause of blood clots, you and your doctor should address your concerns before you go ahead with the surgery.
Conclusion
Blood clots can be lethal. But with a weather eye on the signs and symptoms of blood clots and a few precautionary measures, you can avert them. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a doctor on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello'] Don’t stay under the shadow of fear. If you feel that you are at the risk of contracting thrombosis, consult a doctor through MediBuddy.[/av_promobox] Sources:
