Blood Clots

Guide Note:

Blood Clots, or thrombi, result from the coagulation of blood turning from liquid to solid during healing process. As the wound heals, a clump is formed to halt bleeding. A scab eventually forms over the injured area. Blood Clots can become dangerous without an injury if they block the flow of blood in the blood stream. Without clotting, a person would die from bleeding too much.

One fo the most common types of blood Clots is deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis mainly form in the calves and thighs. Clots can be dangerous if the blood clot breaks and travels to the heart or lungs. An embolism occurs when the Blood Clots travel to a major organ. Blood Clots usually occurs from sitting in one position too long, birth control pills, childbirth, fractures, or surgery. Symptoms include swelling on the leg, redness, and pain in the legs. Certain medical conditions increase the risk of Blood Clots like a heart attack, surgery, long periods of inactivity, and genetic diseases. Blood Clots kill an estimated 300,000 in the United States each year.

Fast Facts:

1. Pulmonary embolism: blocked blood vessel in lungs
2. Arterial embolism: blood flow interrupted to organ
3. Renal vein thrombosis: drains blood out of kidneys
4. Thrombophlebitis: swelling of vein from blood clots
5. Avoid prolonged sitting
6. Raise up and down on calves
7. Raise and lower toes leaving heel on floor
8. Drink plenty of fluids
9. Elevate legs to prevent embolism
10. Hypercoagulation: a genetic tendency to clot too much