Some of our body's signals are so insignificant that we don't pay attention to them. However, it is precisely these "little things" that can be the first warning signs of a serious problem - the formation of a blood clot.
A telling example is the story of bioastronautics researcher Kelly Gerardi, who recently revealed that she was diagnosed with a large blood clot without any classic symptoms. She avoided disaster only because she knew about her risk and insisted on additional testing. Her experience shows that paying attention to your body can save a life.
A thrombus is a thick blood clot that forms in a blood vessel when platelets and proteins start to stick together. They most often occur in the veins, called venous thromboses. These include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Vascular surgeon Dr. Lily Johnston explains: If a blood clot in a leg vein breaks off, it can travel to the lungs and block blood flow, leading to a life-threatening complication called a pulmonary embolism.
Alarming symptoms that cannot be ignored
1. Swelling in one leg
When a blood clot blocks a vein, blood stops flowing normally. This causes swelling — usually in just one leg.
2. Calf pain
Blood stagnation creates pressure on the tissues, which manifests as deep pain or cramps that don't go away.
3. Redness and a feeling of warmth over the affected area.
The body reacts to the blood clot with inflammation - the skin turns red and becomes hot to the touch.
4. Chest pain or shortness of breath
This may indicate that a blood clot has traveled to the lungs. This is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
5. Coughing up blood or an unexplained cough
When part of the lung is deprived of blood, it leads to irritation and bleeding into the airways.
Who is at risk?
Some factors significantly increase the likelihood of blood clots forming:
-
Pregnancy — hormonal changes and pressure on the veins.
-
Familial predisposition - hereditary blood clotting disorders.
-
Sedentary lifestyle - prolonged sitting or immobility (for example, in flight).
-
Smoking damages the walls of blood vessels.
-
Obesity increases blood pressure and inflammatory processes.
-
Hormonal drugs - contraceptives can increase blood clotting.
-
Cancer - active cancer processes significantly increase the risks.
How to reduce the risk of blood clots
1. Move more.
Contraction of the leg muscles helps to "push" blood towards the heart. Even a short warm-up every 1–2 hours while working or traveling is an effective prevention.
2. Weight and lifestyle control.
Regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight reduce risks significantly.
3. Drink enough water.
Dehydration thickens the blood, so a drinking regimen is a simple but effective way to prevent thrombosis.
The risk of blood clots increases with age. Doctors advise you to carefully monitor leg swelling, pain, or sudden shortness of breath, especially if you take hormonal drugs or have chronic diseases.
If in doubt, it is best to consult a doctor or vascular surgeon. Early diagnosis can save your life.
