Thrombosis happens when one or more blood clots form in your blood vessels (arteries or veins) stopping your blood from flowing normally. It is a serious condition and can be life-threatening.
When a clot occurs in a vein (usually in your leg or pelvis) it is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If a clot breaks off and travels to your lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Together, DVT and PE are called venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Causes
Thrombosis
Thrombosis happens when you have blood clots that stop blood from flowing normally.
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.
Symptoms
Thrombosis
Symptoms of 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 the leg or arm
warmth or redness in the leg or arm
shortness of breath or rapid breathing
chest pain (particularly when breathing deeply)
coughing or coughing up blood
If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may have a clot and need urgent treatment.
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition that occurs when blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the leg 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 (usually the full leg in pregnancy)
pain in one leg or arm, which may be worse when standing, walking or using your arm
warmth or redness in one leg or arm
If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a DVT, it is very important that you call your doctor immediately or present to the nearest Emergency Department
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. The blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that travels to the lung from a vein in the leg.
Sometimes there are no symptoms of PE, but many people may feel some or all of these symptoms. They 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, it is very important that you immediately, dial 999 or 112 or present to the nearest Emergency Department.
When it comes to thrombosis, it is crucial that everyone knows:
their risk
the signs to look out for
the need to seek medical attention fast
Diagnosis
Thrombosis
You may have the following tests to diagnose a DVT:
D-dimer blood test – This is a blood test used to rule out blood clots in combination with a risk score
ultrasound of the affected limb
You may have the following tests to diagnose a PE:
chest x-ray
lung scan (VQ scan)
CT or spiral CT scan
pulmonary angiogram
D-dimer blood test – used to rule out blood clots in combination with a risk score
If your blood clot is diagnosed quickly, there are effective treatments to deal with them. So if you are at risk or you have symptoms, make sure to take the tests your need for diagnosis.
Treatment
Thrombosis
Treatment for thrombosis will depend on how big your clot is, where it is located and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Treatments can include:
Medication – You may be given anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicine or thrombolytic medicine. Thrombolytic medicine helps to dissolve clots. If you are pregnant and develop DVT, you may need injections of a blood thinning drug called heparin.
Thrombectomy – This is a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel. During this procedure your surgeon may place a catheter or stent in your blood vessel, widening it and stopping it from closing.
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.
Preventing another blood clot
Thrombosis
Half of thrombosis cases are potentially preventable, reducing the risk of death and disability for thousands of people. There are also effective treatments that can deal with blood clots if they are diagnosed quickly.
Blood clots can be very serious but there are preventative measures that can be taken. If you have had a blood clot, it is important to take steps to prevent another one. Prevention may include:
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. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise is best for you. Your doctor will also be able to advise on any specific exercises or stretches you should do.
The Irish Heart Foundation offers a range of free support services to those affected by heart disease or stroke that can greatly improve their quality of life. These include support groups, physical exercise classes, therapy sessions and more.
If you have any questions about heart disease or stroke, you can also call the Irish Heart Foundation’s Nurse Support Line on (01) 668 5001 to speak to a nurse specialist who will answer your questions and give you guidance and reassurance.
