Blood clotting is a vital process that prevents excessive bleeding following an injury to a blood vessel. However, a blood clot can sometimes form inside a blood vessel that has not sustained any damage.
Some clots may also fail to dissolve fully once an injury has healed. These clots can travel through the circulatory system and may end up restricting blood supply to a vital organ. These types of blood clot are very serious and require urgent treatment.
In this article, we outline the various treatments for blood clots and provide tips on the prevention and long-term management of blood clotting disorders.
A doctor will set out a tailored treatment plan to help people manage their condition and prevent further blood clots.
Home management will depend on the type and severity of the blood clot, as well as which medications a person is taking for it.
The plan may involve the doctor referring a person to a team of specialists, who are likely to include a cardiologist, hematologist, and neurologist.
Compression stockings may be beneficial for people recovering from DVT. These stockings help prevent blood from pooling and clotting in the lower leg.
Taking regular walks and elevating the affected leg above the hip can also help by increasing blood flow to the heart.
People who are taking medications should schedule regular blood checks to ensure that their blood does not become too thin or thick.
According to the American Society of Hematology, blood clots are one of the most preventable types of blood condition.
Some individuals may have an increased genetic risk of developing blood clots. People should tell their doctor if they have a family history of blood clotting disorders.
The doctor may recommend regular checkups to help detect disorders at an early stage.
The following lifestyle factors can also lower a person’s risk of developing blood clots:
- wearing loose fitting clothes, especially on the lower body
- wearing compression stockings
- quitting smoking, if applicable
- drinking plenty of fluids
- eating less salt
- exercising regularly
- maintaining a healthy weight
- changing position often, especially on long journeys
- standing or sitting for no longer than an hour at a time
- avoiding crossing the legs
- avoiding activities that may bump and knock the legs
- raising the legs above the level of the heart when lying down
The table below shows the symptoms that may occur with blood clots in different parts of the body:
| Location | Symptoms |
| Arm or leg |
|
| Lung |
|
| Brain |
|
| Heart |
|
| Abdomen |
|
| Kidney | Symptoms are rare, but may include:
|
A DVT is a blood clot that forms within the deep veins in the arms and legs.
Sometimes, a DVT may dislodge and travel through the circulatory system toward the lungs or brain. It can then cause serious complications, including:
Pulmonary embolism
A PE is a blood clot that becomes embedded in the lung tissue.
A PE blocks some of the blood flow to the lung, which causes the heart to pump harder to try to fulfill the body’s oxygen requirements.
The added strain on the circulatory system can result in heart failure.
Cerebral embolism and stroke
Sometimes, a blood clot may enter and block a vessel that supplies blood to the brain. This type of blood clot is called a cerebral embolism (CE).
Without sufficient blood supply, the brain cells in the affected area become starved of oxygen and die. This condition is called an ischemic stroke.
Strokes are serious and potentially life threatening. People who receive treatment within the first
Renal vein thrombosis
A renal vein thrombosis (RVT) is a blood clot in the renal vein, which draws blood away from the kidney. Most cases of RVT improve over time and do not cause lasting kidney damage.
However, RVT may sometimes result in acute renal failure. Acute renal failure is when impaired kidney function leads to a buildup of toxic waste products in the blood.
People who experience the symptoms of a DVT should make an urgent appointment with a doctor, especially if they have a family history of blood clotting disorders. Early treatment of a DVT can prevent further complications.
A blood clot elsewhere in the body is a medical emergency. A person should phone 911 or the local emergency number immediately if they are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, pulmonary embolism, renal vein thrombosis, or another heart-related condition.
Blood clots are serious and potentially life threatening in some cases. There are many different treatment options for blood clots, depending on their location and severity.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further complications and improve a person’s outlook.