Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the clot:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected leg (usually the calf or thigh).
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain (often sharp and worsened by breathing), cough (possibly with blood), rapid heartbeat.
Arterial Thrombosis (e.g., Stroke, Heart Attack): Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, severe headache, chest pain, shortness of breath. Symptoms depend on the affected organ and blood vessel.
Causes
Thrombosis is often caused by a combination of factors, sometimes referred to as Virchow's triad:
Endothelial injury: Damage to the inner lining of the blood vessel (e.g., from surgery, trauma, infection, inflammation).
Hypercoagulability: Increased tendency for the blood to clot (e.g., due to genetic factors, pregnancy, certain medications, cancer).
Stasis: Slow or stagnant blood flow (e.g., due to prolonged immobility, heart failure, varicose veins). Other causes: Surgery, immobility, cancer, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, smoking, obesity, autoimmune disorders.
Medicine Used
Anticoagulants: Heparin (e.g., unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin such as enoxaparin), warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran. These medications prevent new clots from forming and existing clots from growing.
Antiplatelet drugs: Aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor. These medications prevent platelets from clumping together to form clots, and are often used in Arterial Thrombosis.
Thrombolytics: Alteplase (tPA), tenecteplase, reteplase. These are "clot-busting" drugs used in emergency situations to dissolve clots, such as in stroke or massive pulmonary embolism.
Is Communicable
Thrombosis is not communicable. It is not caused by an infectious agent and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Precautions
Stay active: Regular exercise and movement can help prevent blood clots, especially during long periods of sitting or inactivity.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep blood flowing smoothly.
Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings can help improve blood flow in the legs, especially during long flights or car rides.
Manage underlying conditions: Control risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.
Medications: Take prescribed anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications as directed.
Avoid smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of blood clots.
Healthy Diet: A healthy diet can help manage factors like obesity and cholesterol.
How long does an outbreak last?
Thrombosis is not an outbreak. If anticoagulation treatment is started to treat thrombosis the treatment can be for a duration of a few months up to life long, depending on the circumstances.
How is it diagnosed?
Medical history and physical exam: The doctor will ask about symptoms and risk factors.
D-dimer blood test: A negative D-dimer usually rules out a blood clot.
Venous Ultrasound (Duplex): For suspected DVT, this non-invasive test uses sound waves to visualize blood flow in the veins.
CT Pulmonary Angiogram (CTPA): Used to diagnose pulmonary embolism.
MRI: For DVT or other conditions where other imaging is less conclusive.
Arteriography: For arterial thrombosis.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): To assess heart function.
Blood tests: To assess clotting factors and overall health.
Timeline of Symptoms
The onset and progression of symptoms vary widely depending on the location and severity of the thrombosis:
DVT: Symptoms typically develop over several hours to a few days.
PE: Symptoms can be sudden and life-threatening, developing within minutes.
Arterial Thrombosis (Stroke/Heart Attack): Symptoms are usually sudden and require immediate medical attention.
Important Considerations
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial: Prompt medical attention can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
Risk factors: Be aware of your risk factors for thrombosis and take steps to manage them.
Adherence to medication: Follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications.
Monitoring: Regular monitoring may be necessary to adjust medication dosages and ensure safety.
Communication with your doctor: Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor immediately.