Blood clots are gel-like clumps that form when the blood thickens and sticks together, blocking the flow of blood through the blood vessels.
Understanding the causes of blood clots is important because it helps us prevent and treat them effectively, reducing the risk of serious health complications such as heart attacks and strokes.
Causes of Blood Clots
Blood clots are more likely to form in veins in the following situations:
- Prolonged inactivity or bed rest
- Surgery or physical trauma
- Certain medical conditions like atherosclerosis, cancer, and autoimmune disorders
- Hormonal factors such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy
- Inherited or acquired clotting disorders
- Smoking and obesity
- Pregnancy and childbirth
Symptoms of Blood Clots
If after you’ve read through the following symptoms you think you may have a blood clot, it is crucial that you call 111 immediately as they can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
The symptoms of blood clots can vary depending on their location in the body:
- Swelling, warmth, and redness in the affected area
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area, often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or crampiness
- Skin discolouration, appearing pale or bluish
- Increased warmth in the affected area
- Veins that are visibly swollen or enlarged
- Difficulty or pain when moving the affected limb
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing (in the case of a blood clot in the lungs)
- Sudden severe headache, dizziness, or confusion (in the case of a blood clot in the brain)
Get Your Blood Clot Treatment Online with Healthera
If you’ve been prescribed a medication like warfarin to reduce blood clots or your likelihood of developing them, you can place your prescription order online using the Healthera mobile app.
It only takes a couple of minutes to set up your order for collection or home delivery from your local pharmacy.
To get started, simply click the button below to open or download your Healthera app:
