Doctor-Approved: 12 Clues Your Body’s Dropping About a Sneaky Blood Clot You Shouldn’t Miss!

Dr. Michael Tran, a vascular medicine specialist, defines blood clots as proteins, platelets, and other cells in the blood that stick together and thicken up to stop bleeding if you hurt yourself. Clots can also develop inside blood vessels without injury, which is terrible. They can be life-threatening if they travel to vital organs, such as the lungs.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a clot forms in a vein, and pulmonary embolism (PE) happens when a blood clot formed somewhere else in the body breaks free and travels to the lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 900,000 people suffer DVT and PE in the U.S. each year, contributing to between 60,000 and 100,000 deaths. Here are 12 signs that you might have a blood clot.

Swelling in One Leg

As reported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), swelling in just one leg is one of the most common signs of a blood clot in the leg. This clot blocks blood flow, causing tissue fluid to build up.

The swelling may be swift or slow, and sometimes, there may be associated pain or a sense of heaviness. Any doctor should quickly investigate swelling in one leg without a reason, especially if there are other symptoms such as pain or redness.

Pain or Tenderness

Another red flag is pain or tenderness in the affected area. According to Dr. Robert S. Hyzy, a Critical Care Specialist, pain in the leg that worsens with activity could be from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and should not be dismissed. 

It may feel like a cramp or deep ache that worsens when you stand or walk. Fifty percent of people with deep vein thrombosis experience this.

Skin Discoloration

Blood clots can change the skin color, particularly around the area of the clot. Lack of blood circulation will make the skin look reddish, purplish, or bluish.

This is because the blood pools behind the clot, cutting off oxygen from the tissues. If any visible skin discoloration is present, a healthcare provider should rule out the possibility of a clot.

Warmth

If there is a blood clot, the area around it may feel unusually warm. This is because the blood around the clot is stagnant and inflamed.

Warmth, and sometimes swelling, is the most common symptom of DVT, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). When both symptoms occur at once, there’s a greater chance you have a clot and will need immediate medical treatment.

Shortness of Breath

A pulmonary embolism can also cause shortness of breath, which may occur with rapid breathing or a feeling of suffocation. It happens when the clot cuts off the oxygenated blood supply to the lungs, making it difficult to catch your breath.

Research in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis says that up to 50 percent of patients with a pulmonary embolism develop shortness of breath, which can suddenly worsen over time.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can also be signs of a blood clot, especially pulmonary embolism. A blood clot blocks an artery servicing the lungs, resulting in reduced blood flow and a lower oxygen level in the brain.  

Any time you experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain, it’s a serious symptom that should not be assumed.

Leg Cramps

In certain circumstances, blood clots can lead to muscle spasms in your legs. Cramps often appear in the calf and may be confused with normal muscle soreness or tiredness.  

Cramps accompanied by other signs of DVT, such as swelling or redness, could mean a possible clot.

Swollen Veins

Blood clots can also cause swollen or engorged veins, especially near the skin’s surface. When blood flow is blocked, the veins become enlarged and visible.

According to a study published in The Lancet, swollen veins (especially in the legs) often indicate the condition.

Chest Pain or Discomfort

Sudden chest pain is one of the hallmark symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism and can be sharp to stabbing in nature. This pain can worsen when you cough, breathe deeply, or move.  

Pulmonary embolism, a blocking of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, ranks high as a cause of death in hospitalized patients, according to the CDC: almost 100,000 people die from it in the U.S. every year.

Rapid Heartbeat

A rapid heartbeat or tachycardia usually accompanies pulmonary embolism (PE). When a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, less blood and oxygen are delivered through the body.  

To compensate, the heart beats faster, trying to provide more oxygen to vital organs. An increased heart rate is a warning sign of PE; therefore, seek immediate medical attention.

Coughing Up Blood

Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) is a specifically alarming pulmonary embolism symptom. This occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the lungs and causes bleeding in the airways.

Though it occurs in a small percentage of people with PE, this medical emergency needs immediate care. Hemoptysis may be life-threatening, so never ignore it, say experts at Mayo Clinic.

Unexplained Fatigue

Fatigue, a less specific symptom, may occur particularly if a clot interferes with blood flow to the lungs. Feeling extremely tired or lacking energy are common body responses to a clot. 

Fatigue that isn’t explained might be one of the first signs of pulmonary embolism, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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