What are blood clots?

Blood clots are differently sized clumps of blood that have formed inside your body. Clotting is important to prevent excessive bleeding if you are injured or cut. However, when a blood clot blocks blood flow to important areas of your body, it can be harmful, even deadly. Blood clots can occur in your arms and legs, abdomen (stomach), heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys.

Blood clot symptoms

Symptoms are different depending on where the blood clot is located. If the clot is in your arms or legs, you may experience pain (that feels like an intense cramp), swelling, and tenderness. Your skin may be red and warm to the touch where the clot is located. If the blood clot is in your abdomen, you may experience severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What causes blood clots?

Your body reacts to an injury or cut by clotting your blood just the way it should. These types of clots are not a problem. Sometimes a blood clot will form without a trigger (such as an injury or cut). This is more likely to happen with certain risk factors or conditions. Risk factors include:

• Prolonged sitting. This is often the case with travel when you are forced to sit for long periods (air, train, and car).
• Prolonged bed rest. This is often the case with surgery or illness.
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Obesity