Blood clots can be a scary issue. If you’re at risk for them, it’s always a good idea to be screened regularly to ensure that they’re detected right away. The sooner that they are treated, the better.
Let’s discuss what a blood clot is, what symptoms to look out for, what treatments are available, and when you should see a vein doctor.
Blood clots can form in any area of the body where veins exist. A blood clot, or thrombus, is formed when blood cells clump together as a trauma response to stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, injured, or diseased and experiences blood pooling or bleeding, the blood clot will adhere to the injury site to stop blood loss and facilitate healing.
The circulatory system relies on clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. However, if there is an abnormal clot formation, it can lead to serious health issues that require immediate medical care.
The signs of having a blood clot in your foot include:
If you experience any of the following serious symptoms, seek immediate treatment:
A deep vein blood clot can be dangerous if it breaks off and travels through the veins to the lungs. Up to 900,000 Americans every year are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which is a venous clot that affects the lungs. Nearly 100,000 people die of this type of blood clot per year.
If you are concerned that you might have a blood clot, reach out to your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor may prescribe medications that aim to thin your blood to stop your clot from growing. The most common medications that are used are oral anticoagulants like rivaroxaban and apixaban.
Other medications that may be prescribed include:
Blood thinning medications make it more difficult for your blood to clot and keep existing clots as small as possible. They also decrease the chances that you’ll develop more clots in the future.
These medications may not be effective if the blood clot is severe. In that case, your doctor may utilize thrombolytic medications. These are used to break up clots and are received intravenously.
If you’re at high risk for deep vein thrombosis, wearing compression stockings can prevent swelling and lower your chance of developing clots. They reach just below your knee and are recommended to be worn every day to be effective.
If you can’t take blood thinners, you may need a filter inside the large abdominal vein called the vena cava. This treatment helps prevent pulmonary embolisms by stopping clots from entering your lungs.
However, filters have risks. If they’re left in for too long, they can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis. Filters should only be used for a short-term period until the risk is reduced; then, blood thinners can be utilized.
Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove a deep vein thrombosis clot. This is typically only recommended with large blood clots or clots that can cause serious issues.
During surgery to remove the blood clot, your surgeon will make an incision into a blood vessel. They will then locate and remove the clog. Finally, they’ll repair the blood vessels and tissue.
In certain cases, they may use a small inflating balloon to keep the blood vessels open during surgery. When the clot is removed, the balloon is removed, as well.
Surgery can come with risks, as well.
They include:
If your blood clot is diagnosed and your doctor prescribes medicine, there are home remedies that you can utilize in addition to your treatment.
Almost 50% of patients with deep vein thrombosis have no symptoms. If you think you are at risk for blood clots, schedule a screening with one of our specialized vein doctors.
If you’re experiencing any troubling symptoms or are concerned about blood clots or your vein health in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Rimas Gilvydis at the Gilvydis Vein Clinic. He and the rest of our committed team are dedicated to guaranteeing that you have the very best treatment available for your veins.
Call us today at (815) 827-1098 or schedule your free screening on our website.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Rimas Gilvydis, M.D, is the co-founder of Northern Illinois Vein Clinic (NIVC) in Rockford, Illinois, and the founder of Gilvydis Vein Clinic (GVC) in Naperville, Sycamore, and Geneva, Illinois. A board-certified interventionalist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine, Dr. Gilvydis has been treating varicose veins with minimally invasive techniques since they were first introduced.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.