Blood Clotting Factors: Symptoms and Treatment

• Arterial Clots:
  • Form in the arteries.
  • Immediate signs.
  • Prevent oxygen flow to vital organs.
  • Can lead to stroke, heart attack, severe abdominal pain, and paralysis.
• Venous Clots :
  • Form slowly in the veins.
  • Signs include swelling, redness, numbness, and pain.
  • Gradually noticed.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) :
  • Clots form in the main veins inside the body.
  • Commonly occurs in the legs, but also in the arms, pelvis, lungs, or brain.
• Superficial Vein Thrombosis:
  • Forms in veins near the skin's surface.
  • Typically does not travel through the bloodstream.

What causes blood clots?

Blood clots can form due to injury or within blood vessels without an obvious trigger. These clots can travel and cause harm. Sometimes, they form without a clear cause.

• Throbbing or cramping discomfort
• Swelling
• Alterations in skin colour
• Increased warmth in the affected arm or leg
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Intensifying chest pain upon inhalation
• Coughing

• Age, especially if you are over 65
• Trips over four hours of sitting are considered long.
• Bed rest or a sedentary lifestyle for long periods
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• obesity
• Birth control pills/hormone replacement therapy/breast cancer drugs
• Certain types of cancer (pancreas, lung, multiple myeloma, or blood-related cancers)
• Certain types of cancer (pancreas, lung, multiple myeloma, or blood-related cancers)
• Some types of major surgery
• Age (especially older than 60 years)
• Family history of blood clots
• Autoimmune disease
• Diseases related to chronic inflammation
• Certain infections (HIV / AIDS, hepatitis C, or Lyme disease)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Factor V Leiden
• Family history of blood clots
• Cardiac arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems)
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Peripherial artery disease (PAD)
• Polycythemia vera

• Ultrasound:
  • Ultrasound is Widely used for diagnosing blood clots.
  • Uses sound waves to create images of arteries and veins.
  • Shows interrupted blood flow if there's a clot.
• Venogram:
  • Dye was injected into the vein.
  • X-ray was taken to visualize the area.
  • The dye highlights veins for easy clot detection.
• Chest CT-Angiography:
  • Detects pulmonary embolism.
  • Commonly caused by a dislodged leg or pelvic clot.
  • Chest X-ray may be recommended for other conditions.
• Abdomen/Pelvic CT Angiography:
  • Used if blood clot suspected in abdomen or pelvis.
  • Rules out other conditions with similar symptoms.

• A blood clot is treated based on its location.
• Oral anticoagulants are the most common treatments for blood clots.
• Some medications can be given through a catheter (a long, thin tube) that is inserted into the area of ​​the clot.
• Some clots can be removed surgically.
• Talk to your physician if you are pregnant. Medications can pose risks to the fetus.
• If your blood clot is because of an infection, your physician can be capable of treating the infection and decrease the danger of a clot.

• Emergency Situations:
  • Call emergency services if you experience:
  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Chest pressure
  • Difficulty breathing, seeing, or speaking
• Seeking Medical Attention:
  • Your healthcare professional will assess your symptoms.
  • Further testing may be needed.
  • The initial step often involves non-invasive ultrasound.
  • Helps in diagnosing vein or artery issues.

• Avoid prolonged sitting.
• Take short walks every hour, especially if working at a desk or travelling by plane.
• Move around after surgery or bed rest as advised by your doctor.
• Wear loose clothing, especially on the lower body.
• Use compression stockings.
• Quit smoking.
• Stay hydrated and reduce salt intake.
• Exercise regularly.
• Don't sit or stand for more than an hour continuously.
• Avoid crossing legs or activities that impact the legs.
• Elevate legs above heart level when lying down.