In addition to knowing your risk factors, it is also important to be aware of the symptoms of blood clots, which vary depending upon where the clot is located:
Heart – chest heaviness or pain, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, light-headedness
Brain – weakness of the face, arms or legs, difficulty speaking, vision problems, sudden and severe headache, dizziness
Arm or Leg – sudden or gradual pain, swelling, tenderness and warmth
Lung – sharp chest pain, racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, fever, coughing up blood
Abdomen – severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Am I at Risk?
The risk factors for developing a venous clot are different from those for an arterial clot, and people at risk for getting one are not necessarily at risk for getting the other. Different risk factors or events can cause unnatural clotting; however, each factor may initiate clotting in a different way. There are molecules in your system that signal your body to let it know when, where, and how quickly to form a clot, and genetics plays a role in how quickly your body reacts to these signals. Certain risk factors, such as obesity, slow the flow of blood in the veins, while others, such as age, can increase the body’s natural ability to clot. Even certain medications can affect how quickly your blood clots. The following factors increase your risk of developing a venous blood clot:
Obesity
Pregnancy
Immobility (including prolonged inactivity, long trips by plane or car)
Smoking
Oral contraceptives
Certain cancers
Trauma
Certain surgeries
Age (increased risk for people over age 60)
A family history of blood clots
Chronic inflammatory diseases
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