Rather than being helpful, these clots can be a serious health problem. This kind of blood clot is known as deep vein thrombosis DVT. A blood clot in a vein deep in the body is made up of platelets, which speed the clotting process, and fibrin, a protein that weaves a web to trap blood cells.
The real danger develops if a piece of the clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and lodges in the lung, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, a cardiologist and the medical director of the Joan H. This is called a pulmonary embolism PE , which can be life-threatening, she says. Other medicines, called anticoagulants, may be prescribed to prevent more clots from forming.
Some people may need to be on medication long-term to prevent future blood clots. DVT does not cause heart attack or stroke. There are two main types of blood clots. How a clot affects the body depends on the type and location of the clot:. Both types of clots can cause serious health problems, but the causes and steps you can take to protect yourself are different. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Venous Thromboembolism Blood Clots. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. What is Venous Thromboembolism? Minus Related Pages. View the full infographic. Blood and blood vessels.
Home Blood and blood vessels. Deep vein thrombosis. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About deep vein thrombosis A thrombus is a blood clot. Blood clotting and DVT Blood contains platelets and compounds called clotting agents. Risk factors for DVT Some of the risk factors that may contribute to the formation of a thrombus include: coronary heart disease being overweight or obese cigarette smoking pregnancy a high-dose combined oral contraceptive pill a susceptibility to 'stickier' blood and a family history of DVT blood clotting disorders sitting still for long periods of time recent surgery or injury some types of cancer chronic heart failure previous thrombosis hormone therapy infections older age.
Long distance travel and DVT Long distance travel by air, road or rail for longer than 8 to10 hours is associated with an increased risk of DVT in susceptible people.
The following may be helpful to reduce the risk of DVT while undertaking long distance travel: Wear loose clothes. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol. Drink plenty of fluids avoid alcohol. Move about whenever possible before, during, and after travelling. Don't sit with your legs crossed. Perform leg and foot stretches and exercises while seated.
Consult with your doctor before travelling. Symptoms of DVT The symptoms of a DVT may include: pain and tenderness in the leg pain on extending the foot swelling of the lower leg, ankle and foot skin that is warm changes in skin tone, such as red or pale or bluish skin.
Pulmonary embolism Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Venous thromboembolism. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Accessed Sept. Bauer KA, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of the nonpregnant adult with suspected deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity. Bonow RO, et al. Cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Elsevier; Lip GYH, et al. Overview of the treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis DVT. What is venous thromboembolism?
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