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What are Some Blood Clot Symptoms?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Blood clot symptoms depend very much on where the blood clot is located. Generally speaking, however, symptoms may include redness, pain or numbness, throbbing, a burning sensation and inflammation at the location of the clot. The trouble with blood clots is that they can travel to the brain causing a stroke. Alternatively, they can travel to the heart spurring a heart attack, or they can travel to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism. These are all extremely serious conditions that require emergency medical care. But, prior to suffering these serious, potential results of a blood clot, you may or may not have symptoms.

One type of blood clot that is usually symptomatic is a clot that occurs in the leg. The affected leg might swell, get red, and feel tender or warm. Blood clot symptoms in the leg can also include difficulty standing on the affected leg, and shooting pains that may reach the foot. The calves may ache in a dull way when you walk. Since this type of blood clot can move, it is a considerable risk and must be treated immediately by a doctor.

Redness is a common symptom that a blood clot is present.
Redness is a common symptom that a blood clot is present.

Basically, blood clot symptoms for clots that reach the heart are the same as standard heart attack symptoms. You may experience a rapid or changing heartbeat, extreme chest pain, and breathlessness. The jaw may ache. It may be difficult to catch your breath and your left arm may hurt. It may even feel like heartburn, and in some cases it may just be heartburn. You also might faint or feel nauseous and vomit.

Experiencing a headache or throbbing sensation is a sign of a blood clot.
Experiencing a headache or throbbing sensation is a sign of a blood clot.

If you are in the midst of a stroke, blood clot symptoms are not likely to be missed. Symptoms can include confusion, extreme to mild headache, problems with balance, and an inability to move one side of the body. Speech may be impaired. A stroke usually affects one side of the body only, so you may note great difficulty moving the limbs on one side while the limbs on the other side still seem under control Additionally, there may be lack of awareness as to where you are and overall disorientation.

If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can mimic a heart attack.
If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can mimic a heart attack.

When a blood clot reaches the lungs, it may cause some symptoms similar to a heart attack. Blood clot symptoms when a clot reaches the lungs include difficulty breathing, chest pain, rapid breathing, and occasionally coughing up mucus or bloody. Fever may also be present.

Given the dangerous potential of blood clots, it’s wise to understand blood clot symptoms. It’s also a good idea to have periodic physical exams and to observe good diet and exercise patterns. Should you note any of these symptoms occur, you should get immediate medical attention. In most cases, people have a much higher survival rate and less risk of complications or permanent impairment when they can receive medical care promptly.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon339849

I have had something like blood clots in my hands and legs, however I don't have any redness, pain, numbness, throbbing or a burning sensation. I only have swelling at those locations and see inflammation. Can anyone suggest what it may be? I'm really worrying about going to the doctor.

anon331562

@anon308936: I have thought the same thing! I have had one clot in my leg after surgery and that pain finally explained a similar pain I get in my arms. I can feel the pain as it moves up or down the arm. It also throbs, like a beating heart. No one seems to take me seriously about it. I really think it may be small clots moving. I do sit at a computer all day for work.

anon308936

I've experienced dull pain in upper right chest area and inch or so left of center and maybe 2.5 inches down from my collar bone. Again all on the right side of chest. While the pain is the most intense there, it migrates, sometimes minute to minute to the bottom of my right rib cage in the area where the gall bladder is located.

I just started seeing a doctor but haven't got to the bottom of it yet. However my belief is that I have a blood clot moving around in my bloodstream. Has anyone had anything like this? --Lars

anon147975

well even walking around sometimes does not help. I am mow sitting in the hospital being shot up with warfarin twice a day and this will happen for the next six months. Or so I've been told. The clots move and I say ouch. I cannot lie flat on my back. it hurts that much if I try.

This is not good, I was to start a job this A.M. But it's all good.

comfyshoes

Sunny27- I agree with you. As a matter of fact, after I had my son, the nurse ordered me to walk around so that blood clots would not form on my legs.

Sunny27

Breakofday- I don’t know the answer to your question, but I have to say I also have heard that frequent fliers need to periodically walk around to avoid the formation of potential blood clots.

This is also the case for pregnant women and the risks increase after delivery of their baby. They have a high risk of blood clots because of the hormonal changes that change the coagulation of the blood making clots easier to form.

Also, the expanding uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels and limits the flow of blood to the legs and other parts of the body. These combinations of factors create a higher tendency of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis.

breakofday

I've heard that blood clots in the legs is caused by prolonged sitting (like frequent fliers), however I've never heard anything about what causes blood clots in general. Is it diet or genetic or is it always related to how active/inactive you are?

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    • Redness is a common symptom that a blood clot is present.
      By: adam88xx
      Redness is a common symptom that a blood clot is present.
    • Experiencing a headache or throbbing sensation is a sign of a blood clot.
      By: oocoskun
      Experiencing a headache or throbbing sensation is a sign of a blood clot.
    • If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can mimic a heart attack.
      By: drubig-photo
      If a blood clot reaches the lungs, it can mimic a heart attack.
    • A fever could indicate that a blood clot has reached the lungs.
      By: evgenyatamanenko
      A fever could indicate that a blood clot has reached the lungs.
    • Blood clots are potentially dangerous medical issues that require immediate attention.
      By: ras-slava
      Blood clots are potentially dangerous medical issues that require immediate attention.
    • A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, is the result of several blood cells lumping together.
      By: clearviewstock
      A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, is the result of several blood cells lumping together.