When I had a hemorrhagic stroke, I had blood clots in every extremity (that is, arms and legs), I found out later. The docs put me on Heparin, an anticoagulant, and two weeks later, Coumadin, to dissolve the clots. That sound simple, right? The answer is no. I have to take an INR (International Normalized Ratio) blood test every week for life to see if my clotting factor is between 2 and 3.
If it isn’t between 2 and 3, the docs have to adjust so I don’t cause too much bleeding (high INR) or too much clotting (low INR). The test isn’t hard; however, taking it every week before the big showdown sucks.
Blood clots are semi-solid or gel-like masses that form in your arteries and veins. The binding of platelets and fibrin forms it. Platelets are small colorless fragments of cells that your bone marrow makes. Fibrin is a blood protein. It’s sticky and may look like long strings. Platelets and fibrin work together to seal injured areas of your blood vessels.
Blood clots’ red color comes from red blood cells that are trapped in fibrin as they target the injured area. Blood clots typically occur inside larger blood vessels, such as arteries or veins.
Blood clots help control bleeding, but they may also cause serious medical issues, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and heart attack. But some blood clots form inside the veins without a good reason and don’t dissolve naturally. These clots may require medical attention, especially if they are in the legs, lungs or brain.
When clots become dangerous, = problems arise when clots form inappropriately inside blood vessels or when they break loose and travel to other parts of the body. This can lead to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms.
Blood clots can be treated with medications like anticoagulants (blood thinners) or, in severe cases, procedures to remove them. If you suspect you might have a blood clot, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly, as some clots can be life-threatening.
- Platelets activate: When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets stick to the site and to each other.
- Fibrin strands form: These act like a net, trapping more platelets and red blood cells.
- Clot stabilizes: The clot seals the wound and prevents further bleeding.
- Clot dissolves: Once healing is complete, your body breaks down the clot naturally—unless something goes wrong.
On the other hand, there is an overlap in symptoms between blood clots and hematomas. A hematoma (commonly known as a black and blue mark) occurs when blood collects under the skin or in an organ due to an injury to the blood vessels. It may cause swelling and other skin discoloration. An MRI and CT scans or physical exam can diagnose hematomas.
Mild or superficial hematomas can be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, (commonly known as the RICE method) while more serious hematomas may require further medical attention. A hematoma in an internal organ may not be visible, just like blood clots, yet it can seriously affect an organ and may impair function. For example, a hematoma in the brain can cause paralysis, or a hematoma in the kidney may cause decreased kidney function.
Hematoma Symptoms
- Hematomas can be tender and painful to the touch.
- Hematomas cause skin discoloration, such as a purple, dark blue, and/or black patch.
- The affected area may show swelling.
- They can cause localized pain in the affected area.
- Different types of hematomas, such as subdural, epidural, subungual, or muscular hematomas, may present specific symptoms based on their location and severity.
- For example:
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- Splenic, hepatic, or peritoneal hematoma: abdominal pain, flank pain
- Subdural hematoma: headache, neurologic problems, confusion, seizures
- Epidural hematoma: back pain, weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control
- Intracranial hematoma: headache that worsens, vomiting, drowsiness, progressive loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, unequal pupil size
- Subungual hematoma: nail pain, nail weakness, nail loss, disfiguring nail
Blood clots can be diagnosed using ultrasonography and CT scans.
- The skin over the clot may change color, appearing red or purple.
- The affected area may feel warm and appear red.
- Blood clots, particularly deep vein thrombosis (DVT), often cause leg swelling and pain, usually starting in the calf.
- Blood clots may be associated with specific risk factors such as age, obesity, prolonged sitting, recent surgery, or underlying health conditions like cancer, heart failure, or high blood pressure.
- In some cases, blood clots can lead to sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
Types of blood clots:
- Arterial clots form in arteries and can block blood flow to vital organs.
- Venous clots form in veins, often in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Blood clots are the first line of defense if something damages your fragile blood vessels. For example, if you injure yourself from a paper cut, blood clots are why the bleeding usually stops after a few seconds or minutes.
You can develop a blood clot for other reasons, such as being immobile for a long time or having medical conditions that increase your blood clot risk. When that happens, your blood doesn’t stream as it should.
You can have a blood clot anywhere in your body. Blood clots that happen in your veins may develop in your arms and legs. This is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots that develop in your arteries may appear in your lungs. This is pulmonary embolism. Blood clots that block blood flow to your brain may cause a stroke. Blood clots in your heart may cause a heart attack.
In general, you’d notice blood clot symptoms from clots forming in your veins and arteries. Leg pain, swollen legs and change in skin color may be DVT symptoms. Chest pain or shortness of breath can be symptoms of blood clots in your lungs or heart.
Blood clot issues are associated with many different kinds of conditions. You may develop a blood clot because you cut yourself and your body is working to stop your bleeding. There are conditions that focus on blood clots, such as bleeding disorders or blood clotting issues. You may also develop conditions that increase your risk of developing blood clots.
If you have a bleeding disorder, it means your blood doesn’t clot as it should and you’re at risk of bleeding uncontrollably if you’re injured. Bleeding disorders which may be inherited include:
- Von Willebrand disease: Most people who have von Willebrand disease inherited a mutated gene from one of their biological parents. But von Willebrand disease is also a complication of cancer, autoimmune disorders and heart and blood vessel diseases.
- Thrombocytopenia: You may develop thrombocytopenia if you have low platelet counts.
- Inherited hemophilia: This condition happens because your body doesn’t make enough clotting proteins to help your blood form clots.
- Factor V Leiden: This inherited disorder is the most common blood clotting disorder. It slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.
- Prothrombin Gene Mutation: Like Factor V Leiden, this inherited condition slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome: This autoimmune disorder increases blood clot risk.
So if that’s your situation, you’re probably managing your condition with medication and other steps. If you’re worried about developing blood clots, talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll evaluate your overall health and recommend ways you can reduce your risk of developing them.
- Movement keeps blood flowing. If you sit for long periods (like on a flight or at a desk), take breaks to stretch or walk.
- After surgery or injury, follow your doctor’s advice on physical therapy or gentle movement.
Wear Compression Garments
- Compression socks or sleeves help improve circulation in your legs.
- These are especially useful if you’re recovering from surgery or have a history of clots.
Hydrate Well
- Dehydration can thicken your blood, increasing clot risk.
- Aim for water throughout the day—especially during travel or recovery.
Know Your Medications
- Blood thinners (like warfarin or rivaroxaban) may be prescribed if you’re at high risk.
- Always take them exactly as directed—missing doses or mixing with certain foods can be dangerous.
Watch for Warning Signs
- Swelling, warmth, redness, or pain in one leg or arm could signal a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath may indicate a pulmonary embolism—seek emergency care immediately.
Don’t Smoke
- Menthol cigarettes are just as bad as regular ones.
- Vaping can give you blood clots by causing oxidative stress, damaging blood vessels and increasing the risk of clots.
Anne Curtis, a contributor for Parade Magazine, writes, “There’s a cardiovascular health benefit of drinking water [instead of] your morning coffee. Because coffee encourages your body to lose fluid, it mimics not drinking enough water, and that leads to [the higher] concentration of blood and a higher risk of clotting.”
Good quote. More so, good advice! Nevertheless, millions of people don’t follow it who, among other remedies, have to have their “Morning Joes”!
Dear Joyce,
thanks for your time and understanding. It relates on too many levels to my history. I tried to research it but it’s so complex and there’s too much science stuff. Your explanation helps me make sense and understand better. I’m grateful!!
I try!