The body’s blood clotting ability is crucial for controlling bleeding after an injury, but blood clots can also harm your health in some cases. For example, clots can contribute to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which have the potential to cause serious health effects.
Deep vein thrombosis describes clots that often occur deep within the veins of the legs, while pulmonary embolism happens when these clots break away from the leg veins and make their way to the lungs. Both conditions are associated with specific symptoms, including:
Certain symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, indicate a serious underlying health condition. However, other symptoms, such as lower leg pain and swelling, are easy to overlook or mistake for another condition.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of blood clots are often persistent. For example, minor bouts of harmless leg pain will usually subside quickly or occur after a long day on your feet. With something like deep vein thrombosis, you may notice that symptoms come on suddenly and do not get any better with rest.
Any symptoms related to breathing problems and chest pain require immediate attention, so do not hesitate to seek out emergency assistance. Less serious symptoms still require timely evaluation, as a doctor can perform exams and tests to help identify the underlying cause.
If the issue is resulting from a blood clot, your doctor may prescribe medication to manage it. In some cases, typically when symptoms are less severe, your doctor may recommend monitoring instead.