How blood clots work and when they can be dangerous?

Clots in the blood are a normal way for the body to protect itself and stop bleeding after an injury. Think of it as a way for your body to fix itself in an emergency. When you cut yourself, your blood vessels send signals that bring platelets to the wound. Platelets are small cells that stick together to make a plug. At the same time, proteins in your blood work together to hold the clot in place by making a mesh-like structure. This process, known as coagulation, stops the cut from losing too much blood and lets it heal.

Even though blood clots are necessary for life, they can be dangerous if they form when they shouldn't or don't break up the way they should. These strange blood clots can stop blood from getting to important parts of the body, which can cause major problems.

If blood clots start to bother you

You should be aware of two main types of dangerous blood clots:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms in the deep veins, most often in the legs. That one leg might be swollen, red, or hurt, but sometimes there are no signs at all.?

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disease that can be life-threatening if the clot gets to the lungs and is not treated.

Clots in the arteries: These clots form in the arteries, which move blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A stroke or heart attack can happen if an artery clot blocks blood flow to the brain or heart.

Who is in danger?

Some things make you more likely to get dangerous blood clots

Long periods of not moving: Long trips, bed rest, or hospital stays can slow blood flow, which makes clots more likely to form.

Surgery or an accident can hurt blood vessels, which makes them clot.

Diseases that last for a long time, like cancer, obesity, or diabetes, can make your chance higher.

Having a family background of blood clotting disorders can make you more likely to get them.

Lifestyle factors: Not drinking enough water and smoking are also big causes.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you have shortness of breath, odd swelling, or pain that won't go away, don't ignore these signs. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so talk to a hematologist.?

A quick evaluation can keep problems from getting worse and even save lives.

I see a lot of people at the Hematology & BMT Institute International who didn't understand how bad their symptoms were until it was almost too late. You can fix blood clots if you find them early enough.

How to Avoid Trouble

Do things and don't sit still for long amounts of time.

Make sure you drink a lot of water to stay healthy.

Compression socks should be worn if you are likely to get a DVT.

If you are taking blood thinners, do what your doctor tells you.

Although blood clots may not seem significant, they can have life-changing or even life-threatening consequences. Everything can change if you know the risks, the signs, and when to get help.

Let's work together to make people more aware of these "silent threats" and stop them. Don't be afraid to ask questions or pay attention to your body. Take care of your health!