Blood Clots

Blood clots (thrombosis) rarely happen for one reason. Your risks of blood clots increase if you:

Blood clots rarely happen for one reason. You are at increased risk of developing thrombosis if you:

• are admitted to hospital (your risk of developing thrombosis is higher for 90 days after you are discharged too)
• have active cancer or if you are receiving cancer treatment
• are pregnant or have had a baby less than 6 weeks ago
• are immobile (for example, you have spent more than 3 days in bed, you have been travelling non-stop for more than 6 hours, or your leg is in a cast)

Your risk of developing thrombosis may increase even more if you:

• have a medical history or family history of blood clots
• have had surgery in the last 90 days
• have thrombophilia (tendency to clot)
• take HRT or the contraceptive pill
• have heart, lung or inflammatory disease
• are 60 years of age or older
• live with overweight or obesity
• have varicose veins that become red or sore

Blood clots can happen to anyone at any age.

To find out who is at risk and who needs preventative measures, healthcare professionals should carry out a VTE risk assessment on all patients who attend hospital in Ireland.

If you are going into hospital, it is important to ask for a VTE risk assessment. This will help you to understand your risk and ensure steps are put in place to help reduce your risk during your stay.

You or your doctor cannot know the level of your risk of blood clot if you are not risk assessed.

Blood Clots

Symptoms of a blood clot (thrombosis) can depend on the location of your blood clot and how big it is

In general, symptoms of a blood clot include:

• swelling or pain in one leg, arm or your pelvis
• warmth or redness in one leg, arm or your pelvis
• shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• chest pain (particularly when breathing deeply)
• coughing or coughing up blood
• severe headache that won’t go away

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may have a blood clot and need urgent treatment.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clots that form in deep veins, usually in your leg, pelvis or arm. Sometimes there are no symptoms and a DVT is only diagnosed if a complication occurs. Symptoms may include:

• swelling of one leg or arm, or pelvis (usually the left leg in pregnancy)
• pain in one leg or arm or pelvis, which may be worse when standing, walking or using your arm
• warmth or redness in one leg or arm

If you think you have symptoms of a DVT, don’t relay, contact your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The blockage is usually caused by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in your leg, arm or pelvis – the DVT breaks away and travels to your lung.  A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency.

Symptoms include:

• sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing
• chest pain (particularly if sharp and may be worse when breathing deeply)
• coughing or coughing up blood

If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a PE, call for an ambulance, dial 112 or 999, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

When it comes to blood clots (thrombosis), it is crucial that you know:

• your risk
• the signs to look out for
• the need to seek medical attention fast

Blood Clots

Tests to diagnose a deep vein thrombosis (DVT):

Tests to diagnose a pulmonary embolism (PE):

Tests may include:

• chest x-ray
• lung scan (VQ scan)
• CT or spiral CT scan
• pulmonary angiogram
• D-dimer blood test

If your blood clot is diagnosed quickly, there are effective treatments.  If you are at risk or you have symptoms, make sure to take the tests your need for diagnosis.

Blood Clots

Treatment for blood clots (thrombosis) will depend on how big your clot is, where it is located and the symptoms you’re experiencing.

The blood clot may be removed or treated with medication:

Thrombectomy is a procedure whereby a specialist guides a thin tube (catheter) through your blood vessel.  Small surgical tools are threaded through the catheter to break up the clot and to suck out the pieces of the clot.

Thrombolysis is a specialised drug-therapy.  The “clot-busting” drug is given to break up the clot.  Thrombolysis can be given into your blood stream or directly into the centre of the clot.

Anticoagulant medicines:  These medicines stop the clot from growing, giving your body time to break down the clot naturally over a period of time (weeks to months).  These medicines also stop new clots from forming.

Compression stockings: You may be advised to wear medical compression stockings to compress the veins in your legs. Sometimes, these stockings can help to reduce symptoms of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a complication of DVT. It is important that you are measured for stockings by a professional to make sure they fit properly.

After the clot has been dissolved or removed, most people will take anticoagulant medicines to stop more clots forming.  The length of treatment will depend on the cause of your clot and your risk factors for clots.

When a DVT or a PE is diagnosed and treated, most people recover well. Your level of recovery is helped by taking your medication as prescribed, going to your medical appointments and following your doctor’s advice.

Blood Clots

Blood clots (thrombosis) are often preventable. Also, blood clots can be effectively treated if they are diagnosed quickly.

Blood clots can be very serious but often they can be prevented. If you have had a blood clot, there are steps you can take to prevent another clot:

• Exercise – staying physically active is an effective way to reduce your risk of developing another clot. Consistent, gentle movement will help to keep your circulation active. Ask your doctor about what type of exercise is best for you.
• Medication – to prevent more clots, most people will continue to take anticoagulation medicines after recovering from a clot.  The length of time you will take medication depends on the cause of the clot and your risks.
• Compression stockings – you may be advised to wear medical compression stockings to compress the veins in your legs. Sometimes, these stockings can help to reduce symptoms of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a complication of DVT. It is important that you are measured for stockings by a professional to make sure they fit properly.
• Follow a heart-healthy lifestyle

Blood Clots

The Irish Heart Foundation has a range of free supports and services for people affected by blood clots, heart disease or stroke. These supports and services are designed to help people manage their conditions and support mental health and coping skills.

We are here to help with professional counselling and emotional support programmes, our nurse support line, information events and our online community.

For more information on these supports for you and your family, visit our support page.

Nurse Support Line – our expert nurses are here to help you.  For all your questions and concerns about blood clots, heart conditions, stroke and living a healthy lifestyle.  Phone 01 6685001 or Email: support@irishheart.ie

Real life stories page – read stories from those affected by thrombosis, heart conditions and stroke.

Blood Clots

The following resources provide more information about blood clots (thrombosis).

These video playlists contain a range of educational videos for both patients and health care professionals. They are designed to increase awareness and understanding of blood clots, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient information.

Whether you are looking for educational information, best practice guidance, or patient-focused resources, these links are a great place to start.

https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/information-healthcare-workers/cdi-publications/nvtep/#videos

Both playlists complement each other and are recommended viewing for anyone seeking a better understanding of blood clots – signs, risks and treatments.

More Resources:

Irish Heart Foundation supports and services

Blood clot alert card

Deep vein thrombosis

Pulmonary embolism

Cancer and clots: The risk is real (cancer associated thrombosis)

Blood clots after pregnancy and birth

Direct oral anticoagulant medication

Warfarin

Exercise after a blood clot

Living with uncertainty and fear of recurrence after a clot

Look after your mind: Psychological aspects of recovery after a blood clot

HSE thrombosis resources