Before we go over the symptom, it’s important to first go over how blood clots can become serious. Blood clots that happen spontaneously usually start in the legs, explains Dr. Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “They aren’t life-threatening in themselves, but they occasionally dislodge and go to the lungs,” he says. This is called a pulmonary embolism.
With a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lung and blocks blood flow to part of the lung, Dr. Yi explains. There, it can cause permanent damage to the lungs, low oxygen levels in your blood, and damage to other organs in your body (from not getting enough oxygen), he says, adding, “This can be life-threatening."
The Silent Sign of Blood Clots To Know About, According to a Vascular Surgeon
Shortness of breath can also be a sign of a slew of other things, including being out of shape, having asthma or just having a cold, making this a tricky thing to pin on a blood clot. But doctors say there are a few key differences between “regular” shortness of breath and feeling breathless due to a blood clot.“Standard shortness of breath usually comes with exercise or activity,” Dr. Yi says. “With a blood clot, there is a sudden onset of shortness of breath where you feel like you can’t catch your breath.” You may also start breathing faster than usual, he explains. Along with coming on hard and fast, shortness of breath from a blood clot tends to get worse with exertion or taking deep breaths, according to Dr. Parson.Related: ‘An Elephant on Your Chest’ and ‘Being Trapped Under a Heavy Piece of Furniture’—Here’s What an Asthma Attack Actually Feels Like
Other Signs of a Blood Clot and What To Do
Fast breathingChest pain (it usually gets worse when you cough or take a deep breath)A faster-than-usual heart rateCoughing, including coughing up bloodVery low blood pressureFeeling lightheadedFainting
It can be tempting to write these signs off if you have one or two that can be explained away as something more minor. But doctors stress the importance of taking these seriously if you or someone around you has them. “If someone experiences these symptoms, immediate medical attention is critical,” Dr. Parsons says.
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Sources:
How Does Blood Clot? National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteData and Statistics on Venous Thromboembolism, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDr. Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CAPulmonary Embolism. US National Library of MedicineDr. Jonathan Parsons, MD, a pulmonologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterHence then, the article about the silent symptom that could be a sign of blood clots was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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