Imagine this: you’ve been stuck at your desk all day, trying to solve some urgent problem. Hours fly by, and you haven’t even gotten up for a glass of water or a coffee. Suddenly, you feel a weird pain in your calf. You pull up your pant leg and notice some swelling.
You think, “That’s odd.” But what if it’s something much more serious? What if it’s deep vein thrombosis, or DVT? Yep, a blood clot in your leg is no joke. It’s a clot that forms in a deep vein in your leg, and it can travel to your lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism—and that can be deadly.
In this article, Dr Andre Luis Wambier, a cardiologist, explains what a blood clot is, what signs to look for, and how to help prevent it. It will also talk about who is more likely to get one and what to do if you think you have it. This information could help you or someone you care about.
What is a Blood Clot?
Think of your veins like roads that carry blood back to your heart. When a clot forms inside one of these veins, it’s like a traffic jam, a blockage. The blood doesn’t flow right, and this can cause pain, swelling, and even bigger problems. This is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Is this really a big deal? Well, in Brazil, over 180,000 people get blood clots every year! That’s a lot of folks! In the United States, over 100,000 people die because of blood clots. So, it’s worth paying attention.
How Do Blood Clots Form?
Back in the 1800s, a German doctor named Virchow figured out three things that make blood clots more likely. He called it the “Virchow’s Triad”:
- Damage to the Vein Lining: The inside of your veins has a smooth lining. If it gets hurt (like if you twist your ankle or get hit hard), a clot can start there.
- Slow Blood Flow: This happens if your blood isn’t moving much. If you sit still for a long time (during surgery, a long trip, working too much, or just binging shows on the couch), your blood can pool. Seriously! A recent study found that watching TV for more than four hours a day increases your risk of blood clots by 35%!
- “Thick” Blood: Some things (like certain illnesses, medicines, or your genes) can make your blood more likely to clot.
Dr Wambier had a young patient, in his twenties, who had a pulmonary embolism. He told me Dr Wambier he had an identical twin brother and the doctor wondered if his brother would need blood thinners. Not long after, his twin brother got a blood clot in his leg. And his sister (not a twin) did too. They found out they all had something called Factor V Leiden, which makes blood clots more likely. This means they’ll probably need to take blood thinners for the rest of their lives, unless someone finds a genetic cure.
Who is More Likely to Get a Blood Clot?
It all goes back to Virchow’s Triad! Here are some things that increase your risk:
- Not Moving Much: Long trips, being in the hospital, or just sitting still a lot.
- Age: The older you get, the higher the risk.
- Family History: If your family members have had blood clots, you might be more likely to get them too.
- Obesity: Being overweight can put extra pressure on your leg veins and cause inflammation in your body.
- Birth Control or Hormone Replacement: Some hormones can make your blood thicker.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy can also increase the risk.
- Long-Term Illnesses: Conditions like cancer or inflammatory diseases.
- Injury: Any injury that damages the inside of a vein.
- Smoking: Smoking harms your blood vessels.
- Varicose Veins: Especially large ones.
Extra caution: If you smoke and take birth control, your risk goes way up!
If you’ve had a blood clot and don’t know why, it could be a clotting disorder like the one my patients had.
What Are the Signs of a Blood Clot?
So, what does a blood clot feel like? What are the main signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis?
- Swelling: Usually, it’s only in one leg. It’s rare to have blood clots in both legs. So, if both swell, it’s probably something else.
- Pain: It can be constant or come and go. It often gets worse when you walk or stand.
- Redness: The skin might look red and feel warm.
- Heaviness and Tiredness: Your leg might feel heavy and tired.
- Tingling: A pins-and-needles feeling.
- Bulging Veins: Your veins might look bigger or more noticeable.
- Low-Grade Fever: In some cases, you might have a slight fever.
Important: If you have any of these signs, see a doctor right away! These could be signs of a blood clot, and getting diagnosed early is very important.
How Do Doctors Find and Treat Blood Clots?
Your doctor will examine you and might press on your calf. But to be sure, you’ll need some tests:
- D-dimer: This is a blood test that can help rule out a blood clot.
- Venous Doppler: This is the best test! It uses sound waves to see the blood flow inside your veins.
- Angiotomography: This is used if your doctor thinks you might have a pulmonary embolism.
It’s not just about finding the clot; it’s about finding out why it happened! How long you need treatment depends on the cause. For his patients with the genetic issue, they’ll need medicine for life. But if it was just from an injury, treatment might only be for three to six months. It’s very different.
How do doctors treat blood clots? Usually with blood thinners like heparin, Clexane, Xarelto, Eliquis, or warfarin. The choice depends on what’s available and what works best for the patient. Luckily, there are now generic versions of some newer blood thinners, which can make them more affordable.
7 Ways to Help Prevent Blood Clots
But preventing them is always better! Here are seven golden tips to help prevent a blood clot:
1. Move Around!
Sitting still for too long is bad for your circulation. Your blood can pool in your legs, which makes clots more likely. So, the rule is clear: move! If you work sitting down, get up every hour, walk around a bit, and stretch. On long trips (plane, bus, car), take breaks, stretch your legs, and walk a little. You can also wear compression stockings if your doctor suggests them.
Physical activities like walking, running, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are great for preventing blood clots because they help your blood flow back to your heart, stop blood from pooling in your legs, and improve your heart health overall.
2. Stay Hydrated!
Drinking water is key to keeping your blood flowing well. When you’re dehydrated, your blood gets “thicker,” which makes it easier for clots to form.
3. Watch Your Weight!
Being overweight puts more pressure on the veins in your legs, making it harder for blood to return to your heart. Plus, obesity causes ongoing inflammation in your body. Try to keep a healthy weight. Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. If you’re overweight, try to lose some weight.
4. Be Careful with Birth Control and Hormone Replacement!
Some hormones, like estrogen in birth control and hormone replacement therapy, can increase the risk of blood clots. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. If you use these medicines, pay even more attention to the signs of a blood clot.
5. Stop Smoking!
Cigarettes are full of stuff that inflames your blood vessels.
6. Use Compression Stockings!
Compression stockings put pressure on your legs, which helps push blood upwards, improving circulation. If you’re going on a long trip, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor to see if they recommend them for you.
7. Eat Right!
Some foods might help lower your risk of blood clots. But don’t be fooled; there’s no magic food! Still, here are some good ones (but they don’t replace medical treatment):
- Grapes (or grape juice): They have resveratrol, which helps your blood vessels.
- Garlic: Raw garlic, especially after you chop it and let it sit for 10 minutes, has allicin, which can help reduce how sticky your platelets are.
- Olive Oil: This is a good fat that helps with inflammation and is full of antioxidants. It can lower your risk of blood clots.
- Turmeric: It has curcumin, which fights inflammation and is an antioxidant. It can also make your blood less thick. Use it with black pepper to help your body absorb it better.
- Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or more): It has flavonoids, which help your veins work better and can reduce clotting.
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries): These are packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation and improve circulation.
- Fish (salmon, tuna, sardines): They have Omega-3s (EPA, DHA), which fight inflammation and help prevent clots. If you’re vegan, nuts and seeds are also good sources.
In some cases, prevention isn’t enough, and you’ll need medicine, sometimes for life. Remember: a healthy life means exercise, a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and not sitting still for too long.
Pay attention if you feel:
- Pain in your calf (like a cramp that won’t go away).
- Swelling in one leg.
- Redness or warmth in your leg.
- Sudden shortness of breath (this could be a pulmonary embolism!).
In these situations, see a doctor right away! These could be signs of a blood clot, and getting diagnosed early is very important.