Blood clots can cause serious issues for a person if left untreated - and can potentially become a danger to life. However, there are some early tell-tale signs that the body shows to indicate that you may have one.
This means that you should always get checked out if you notice any of these particular symptoms. Blood clots can cause a heart attack, stroke or other serious medical problems, reports the Liverpool Echo.
They can pose a number of risks depending on where they form in the body, with their seriousness increasing as they start moving through the bloodstream.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg, and can be very dangerous. Symptoms of blood clots that have formed deep inside the veins are often concentrated in the legs.
Four symptoms of a blood clot
If caught early, then an injection can help to dissolve the clot and help prevent any serious illnesses. According to WebMD, four symptoms warning of a blood clot include trouble breathing, colour changes, pain and swelling.
Trouble breathing
As a clot leaves the legs and starts to move to the lungs, patients may experience difficulty breathing and a bad cough. This occurs as blood flow through the lungs is dramatically decreased, which in turn reduces the amount of blood flowing to the neighbouring organs. Occasionally, patients may cough up blood or may experience pain in the chest and dizziness, all of which warrant a visit to the emergency department.
Swelling
When a clot slows or stops the flow of blood, it can build up in the vessel and make it swell. WebMD said: "If it happens in your lower leg or calf, it’s often a sign of DVT."
The health site added: “But you also can have a clot in your arms or belly. Even after it goes away, one in three people still have swelling and sometimes pain and sores from damage to the blood vessel.”
Skin colour change
A person’s leg, or the affected area, may start to turn a red or blue hue. There have also been cases where a person’s skin gives off a discoloured white tone warning something is not right.
The health platform Blood Clot Recovery explains that "changes in skin colour, such as turning pale, red or blue or purple", can be indicative of deep vein thrombosis.
Pain
Symptoms of a blood clot include a throbbing or cramping pain. The leg pain or discomfort may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness or general soreness. The affected area where the blood clot may also feel warm to the touch.
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