What should you do if you suspect a blood clot?

If you think you have a blood clot, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away! Blood clots can be dangerous. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs.

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What are the first signs of a blood clot?

Symptoms of a blood clot include:
  • throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm.
  • sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.

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How do you treat a suspected blood clot?

DVT treatment options include:
  1. Blood thinners. These medicines, also called anticoagulants, help prevent blood clots from getting bigger. ...
  2. Clot busters (thrombolytics). These drugs are used for more-serious types of DVT or PE , or if other medications aren't working. ...
  3. Filters. ...
  4. Support stockings (compression stockings).

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Is a suspected blood clot an emergency?

Blood clots are a medical emergency. They can causes stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and other life-threatening health problems. Emergency treatment may be necessary if you have a blood clot.

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Should blood clots be treated immediately?

Blood clots can be very serious, so symptoms of blood clots should be evaluated by a doctor immediately. If not treated, a clot can break free and cause a pulmonary embolism—where the clot gets stuck in a blood vessel in the lung, causing severe shortness of breath and even sudden death.

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What Should I Do If I Think I Might Have a Blood Clot? - Natalie Shum, MD - Emergency Medicine

35 related questions found

How long can a blood clot be left untreated?

It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling.

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Can you self treat a blood clot?

There's no proven way to treat a blood clot at home with natural remedies. If you try to dissolve a blood clot at home, it may take longer for you to get proper medical treatment. This can increase your risk of developing a potentially life threatening condition.

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Should I go to the emergency room if I think I have a blood clot?

If you suspect that you have a blood clot or experience any of the signs and symptoms, you should consider going to the ED. Signs of DVT include: Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. Discomfort, heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs.

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When should you go to the doctor if you think you have a blood clot?

Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if you notice leg pain or swelling and: Sudden coughing, which may bring up blood. Sharp chest pain or chest tightness. Pain in your shoulder, arm, back, or jaw.

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Should I go to the hospital for a blood clot?

Blood clots are to be taken seriously as they are potentially life-threatening especially when you take into account they can cause strokes and heart attacks. It is therefore important to visit an ER as soon as possible in such instances, with FrontlineER.com being the best place to visit in such instances.

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How do you rule a blood clot at home?

This evaluation, known as Homan's Test, consists of laying flat on your back and extending the knee in the suspected leg. Have a friend or family member raise the extended leg to 10 degrees, then have them squeeze the calf. If there's deep pain in the calf, it may be indicative of DVT.

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Can I ignore a blood clot?

Ignoring a blood clot or not receiving treatment promptly can lead to serious complications. Symptoms of a blood clot vary depending on where the blood clot forms: Abdomen: stomach discomfort, nausea or vomiting. Arm or leg: pain, swelling, tenderness and warmth that may occur gradually or suddenly.

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What is the first step to a blood clot?

Overview. Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops.

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What does a minor blood clot feel like?

A blood clot can form in the veins or the arteries, interrupting blood flow. It can cause pain, swelling, and red or dark, tender skin. The area around the blood clot may feel tight or sore like you have a muscle cramp or charley horse.

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What are the 3 stages of a blood clot?

1) Constriction of the blood vessel. 2) Formation of a temporary “platelet plug." 3) Activation of the coagulation cascade.

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Where do blood clots usually start?

Deep vein blood clots typically occur in the lower leg or thigh. “Deep vein thrombosis has classic symptoms—for example swelling, pain, warmth, and redness on the leg,” says Dr.

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Can you tell at home if you have a blood clot?

DVT Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Changes in the color of the affected leg - typically to a blue or purple shade. A warm feeling of the skin on the affected limb. Leg tenderness or pain. Tired or restless leg that doesn't appear to go away.

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Can a blood clot go untreated?

If left untreated, the clot may become larger and cause significant swelling or pain in your arm or legs. An embolism can also break off and travel to your lungs, causing breathing difficulty, chest pain, and putting stress on your heart.

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How do you know if a blood clot is serious?

Symptoms of a Blood Clot in the Lung (Pulmonary Embolism or PE)
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Chest pain that worsens with a deep breath or lying down.
  • Coughing, or coughing up blood.
  • Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat.

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How can doctors tell if you have a blood clot?

Many doctors will use imaging tests to help diagnose a thrombus or hematoma after carrying out a physical examination and reviewing a person's medical history. Imaging tests for blood clots may include an ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan.

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Do you put ice or heat on a blood clot?

To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their leg(s), use a heating pad, take walks and wear compression stockings.

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How long does it take for a blood clot to become fatal?

About 23% of people with PE will die within 3 months of diagnosis, just over 30% will die after 6 months, and there is a 37% mortality (death) rate at 1 year after being diagnosed.

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Are blood clots always life threatening?

Blood clots, which form to stop blood loss, typically are nothing to worry about. But that's not always the case. When clots form abnormally, they can cause major health problems -- and even death -- if not caught early.

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What happens if you don't treat a blood clot in your leg?

If left untreated, about 1 in 10 people with a DVT will develop a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is a very serious condition which causes: breathlessness – which may come on gradually or suddenly. chest pain – which may become worse when you breathe in.

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What happens if a blood clot goes unnoticed?

If a blood clot goes unnoticed, it poses the danger of dislodging from your leg and traveling up to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. The embolism can block blood flow to the lungs, causing permanent damage.

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