How can I tell if I have a blood clot or not?

Blood clot in the leg or arm: The most common signs of a blood clot are swelling, tenderness, redness and a warm feeling around the area of the clot. It's more likely to be a clot if you have these symptoms in just one arm or leg. Blood clot in the stomach: Symptoms include severe pain and swelling.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthdirect.gov.au

What are the first signs of a blood clot?

throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

How can I check myself for blood clots?

You can't self-diagnose blood clots, but if you're aware of the common symptoms and health risks, you will be more likely to know if and when to talk to your doctor.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dignityhealth.org

What are 4 signs of a blood clot?

  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat.
  • Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cdc.gov

Can a blood clot go away on its own?

Blood clots usually dissolve on their own. If not, the clots can potentially lead to life-threatening situations. There are two main types of blood clots: thrombus (clot does not move) and embolus (clot breaks loose and moves). If the clot is immobile, it generally won't harm you.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rwjbh.org

Do I Have a Blood Clot or DVT? Signs & Symptoms

41 related questions found

Is it okay to leave a blood clot untreated?

A large clot can cause the lungs to collapse, resulting in heart failure, which can be fatal. About one in 10 people with an untreated DVT develops a severe pulmonary embolism.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhsinform.scot

What are the 3 stages of blood clotting?

1) Constriction of the blood vessel. 2) Formation of a temporary “platelet plug." 3) Activation of the coagulation cascade.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What does an early blood clot feel like?

Signs that you may have a blood clot

leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot. the affected area feeling warm to the touch.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hackensackmeridianhealth.org

How does a blood clot make you feel?

The feeling can range from a dull ache to intense pain. You may notice the pain throbs in your leg, belly, or even your arm. Warm skin. The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

What happens if you don't know you have a blood clot?

“But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don't have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition. Deep vein clots—especially those in the thigh—can break off and travel through the bloodstream.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on newsinhealth.nih.gov

Does a blood clot in the leg hurt constantly?

Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on share.upmc.com

Should I go to hospital for blood clot in leg?

If you suspect that you have a blood clot or experience any of the signs and symptoms, you should consider going to the ED. Signs of DVT include: Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. Discomfort, heaviness, pain, aching, throbbing, itching, or warmth in the legs.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thrombosis.org

When should you go to the hospital for a blood clot?

You should go to your nearest ER if you experience any of these symptoms or have chest, leg or back pain that does not subside with over-the-counter remedies or home treatment. Or, if any of the following symptoms are present: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Loss of consciousness or feeling light-headed.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ercare24.com

How long can a blood clot go unnoticed?

Small blood clots in the calf can sometimes go undetected for several days or weeks, especially if they don't show any symptoms. If left untreated, however, DVT can travel up the veins in the leg to the lungs or other major organs in the body, leading to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism or similar complication.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthcare.utah.edu

Where do blood clots usually start?

Blood clots most often start in the legs and travel up through the right side of the heart and into the lungs. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you develop symptoms of DVT , contact your health care provider.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Do you feel unwell with a blood clot?

If the blood clot is in your abdomen, you may experience severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Blood clots that travel to your heart cause a heavy feeling or pain in your chest, pain in your upper body, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and light-headedness.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on familydoctor.org

What should you not do if you have a blood clot?

DON'T stand or sit in one spot for a long time. DON'T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON'T smoke. DON'T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you're at risk of bleeding from trauma.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on carle.org

Do you feel tired when you have a blood clot?

It's also worth mentioning that the most common symptom after a blood clot is exhaustion and fatigue. So, be kind to yourself and rest when you need to. For the first couple of months, you might not feel like yourself; you might feel like resting is all you can do, and that's okay because that's part of this disease.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thrombosis.org

How do you tell if it's muscle pain or a blood clot?

Pain in one leg or arm and not the other is a warning sign of DVT. Discomfort often increases with walking or standing for an extended period. Many people mistake this feeling for a pulled muscle, but leg pain from DVT will not go away with time as a muscle injury does.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on veinreliever.com

When should I be worried about leg pain?

See your health care provider as soon as possible if you have: Symptoms of infection, such as redness, warmth or tenderness, or you have a fever greater than100 F (37.8 C). A leg that is swollen, pale or cooler than usual. Calf pain, especially after sitting for a long time, such as on a long car trip or plane ride.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org

Do blood clots hurt with movement?

The skin may have a reddened appearance as the body works to get rid of the clot. If blood flow is restricted, people often feel pain when they move the affected area, Anyone suffering these symptoms should call 9-1-1 and seek immediate treatment.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bonejoint.net

What is the final stage of blood clotting?

The last stage of hemostasis is when your body remodels the existing clot into a fibrin clot. Your body does that because blood clots are a temporary patch, not a permanent solution. That removal involves a process called fibrinolysis.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

What process dissolves a blood clot?

Thrombolytic therapy is a treatment that dissolves blood clots. At Tampa General Hospital, our cardiovascular specialists often use this technique in emergencies when the threat of a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism is imminent.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tgh.org

What are the two types of blood clotting?

There are three types—venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, and coronary thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism occurs in veins or arteries, most commonly in the legs. When a blood clot travels to the lungs and causes a blockage of an artery, it's called a pulmonary embolism.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on yalemedicine.org

Will you be hospitalized for a blood clot?

If the clot is very large or life threatening, you may need to be hospitalized to receive clot-dissolving medication or to get a clot removal. Blood thinners are usually prescribed for three months, or until the health issue that caused the clot is gone.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on michiganmedicine.org