How To Recognize The Symptoms Of A Blood Clot
June 5, 2020 12:35 pm
Everyone should know how to recognize the symptoms of a blood clot. Blood clots can strike in just a moment and lead to stroke, heart attack, or potentially death. Pay attention to the signs and messages your body gives you, and then don’t wait to seek help. Here are a few ways to recognize these symptoms early.
Shortness Of Breath
Getting breathless doing simple activities can be a sign of a blood clot. Take note of any changes to your ability to walk up the stairs or do simple exercises. Don’t just think it’s all about your age, and if it continues, see Magnolia Regional Health Center. If it comes on abruptly, this could be an emergency.
Feeling Like You’ve Pulled A Muscle
We all can get what’s known as a “charley horse” occasionally in a leg or even an arm. When this feeling is accompanied by swelling, a red or bluish tone to the skin, and if the leg is warm to the touch, this could be deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a clot. These combined symptoms can indicate a clot in the deep veins of your body and should be treated immediately.
Signs Of A Pulmonary Embolism
A PE occurs when a clot breaks away from a deep vein thrombosis and quickly travels to the lungs which can be fatal. These symptoms include the following:
- Sudden cough with a bloody mucus
- Abrupt shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pains which get worse with a deep breath
- Rapid heart rate
- Feeling fatigued
If you or someone you love has this combination of symptoms, this is an emergency situation and should be treated as such.
Know Your Risks
Knowing you have any risk factors for a blood clot is a great way to prevent one. Being pregnant, overweight, a smoker, on birth control, and over age 60 are all risk factors for a blood clot. Even if you are young and healthy, you can get a blood clot after surgery, especially orthopedic surgery. It can happen after traveling long distances and sitting too long on a plane or in a car. It is important to move around several times an hour. Even if you sit at a desk for work, stand for a few minutes or take a walk to get blood flowing. Lastly, if you have cancer, lupus, or an autoimmune disease, this can increase your risk. Talk with Magnolia Regional Health Center about your own risk factors, and what else you can do to prevent a blood clot from forming.
As always, if you have any further questions, please call (662) 293-1000 for an appointment at our Heart & Vascular Center today!
This post was written by Magnolia Regional Health Center
