Thrombosis can rapidly turn into a life-threatening condition. The most important thing you can do is stay safe by adopting preventive measures. While you can't always prevent it, understanding the signs can help you determine when you need to seek emergency medical attention.
If you have a history of thrombosis, you may be concerned about what the future holds. Thrombosis is a potentially fatal disorder in which one or more blood clots develop in the blood arteries or heart. When this happens, the clot can either impede blood flow where it originated or break away and go elsewhere in your body. If a circulating clot becomes lodged in a critical spot, it can result in serious medical conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
Symptoms vary depending on the site where the clot has developed. It can exhibit the signs, such as chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and skin changes.
Certain individuals are at a higher risk of thrombosis owing to medical disorders or other causes. Recognizing your risk can help you prevent thrombosis, while knowing the signs can help you spot issues when they arise. Therefore, you can help yourself as well as others who are experiencing such signs in front of you to seek medical care immediately. It can be life-saving knowledge.
What are the Causes of Thrombosis?
Thrombosis may develop in the following manner:Damage to the inner lining of your blood vessel (endothelium)/Slowing of blood flow ↓ Cells in your blood start sticking together abnormally ↓ Formation of a blood clot (thrombus) that doesn't dissolve even after the injury of the blood vessel has been resolved ↓ A blood clot (thrombus) may form from clumps of blood-clotting components ↓ The thrombus keeps on getting bigger ↓ It breaks away and travels through your bloodstream ↓ It gets stuck in a smaller blood vessel (embolus) ↓ Life-threatening complications
What are the Symptoms of Thrombosis?
Thrombosis symptoms may vary according to the size of the clot, the site (where it develops or becomes trapped), and the complications it is associated with. The obstructions are more likely to occur in areas having small vasculature, particularly the lungs, brain, and extremities. The following are the common symptoms for each area:| Body Part / Condition | Key Symptoms |
| Lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) | • Sharp chest pain (may radiate to jaw, neck, shoulder, back, or arm) • Pain when breathing in • Sudden breathlessness at rest or on activity |
| Brain or Neck (TIA or Stroke) | • Weakness or poor muscle control on one side of the body • Slurred or unclear speech • Facial drooping on one side • Confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior |
| Heart (Heart Attack) | • Chest pain or discomfort (angina) • Difficulty breathing • Dizziness or fainting • Women may experience additional atypical symptoms |
| Belly (Mesenteric Ischemia) | • Severe abdominal pain, especially after meals • Bloating, nausea, vomiting • Diarrhea (may contain blood) • Fever |
| Artery in Arm or Leg | • Pale skin in the affected area • Cool skin temperature • Weakness or inability to move limb • Numbness or tingling (pins and needles), possibly painful • Blisters, wounds, or sores • Skin sloughing (skin falling off) • Tissue death (necrosis) |
| Vein in Arm or Leg | • Red or darker skin color in the affected area • Pain around the affected region • Swelling due to fluid buildup • Warmth over the affected skin |
What are the Types of Thrombosis?
The two major types of thrombosis are:- Arterial thrombosis: This happens when a blood clot develops in an artery. Your arteries transport blood from the heart to the other parts of your body. Arterial thrombosis is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.
- Venous thrombosis: This is characterized by the formation of a blood clot in the vein. Your body's veins return blood to your heart. When thrombosis happens in the lungs, it results in pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition.
What are the Risk Factors of Thrombosis?
Your risk of thrombosis might be increased by anything that interferes with the normal blood clotting process or free flow of blood. This includes a wide range of disorders, medicines, and lifestyle choices.Specific risk factors are:
- Atherosclerosis
- Advancing age
- Blood clotting disorders
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy
- Family history of blood clots
- Positive surgical history
- Heart valve disease
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Limb paralysis
- Pregnancy
- History of heart attack or stroke
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco use
- Intake of birth control pills containing estrogen.
- Hormone replacement therapy
What are the Complications of Thrombosis?
Following are the complications that may arise due to thrombosis:- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs)
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke (blockage of blood supply to brain)
- Heart attack (blockage of blood supply to heart)
- Mesenteric ischemia (blockage of the superior mesenteric artery or one of its branches that supply blood to belly)
What are the Treatment Options for Thrombosis?
Medication, minimally invasive methods, and surgery are the treatment options for thrombosis. The treatment plan for thrombosis also includes the management of complications associated with thrombosis. Treatment will be modified by your doctor depending upon circumstances. Following are the available treatment options:- Blood-thinners (antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants)
- Thrombolytic therapy (clot-busting drugs)
- Thrombectomy (surgical removal of clots with minimally invasive methods)
Conclusion
Vascular disease may affect your life in many ways, either as major or minor complications. Vascular specialists at Asian Hospital are trained in treating many types of vascular disease so you can focus on living.The best vascular specialists at Asian Heart Institute with years of expertise are here to help you. For expert care, book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: What happens due to the formation of a blood clot in the heart?
A: If a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the heart, it may cause a heart attack.
Q2: How to cure a blood clot that has formed abnormally?
A: There are numerous treatments available to cure blood clots. Your doctor will plan your treatment based on the severity of the disorder. The treatment options include medications, surgery, and management of complications.
Q3: What is deep vein thrombosis?
A: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a dangerous disorder when a blood clot develops in a deep vein in the body, commonly in the leg. The clot may obstruct a blood artery in the lungs if it breaks off into the circulation. This is referred to as a pulmonary embolism and requires immediate medical attention.
