Blood clot symptoms can include severe leg pain, swelling and redness at the site, very intense headache, pain when breathing, and severe shortness of breath. The exact symptoms may vary depending on the type of blood clot.
A blood clot happens when a clot forms inside a vein or artery, making it harder or even impossible for blood to flow through. This can affect the legs, lungs, brain, intestines, and other parts of the body.
If blood clot symptoms are present, it’s important to go to the emergency room right away to start treatment and restore blood flow to the affected vein or artery, which helps prevent life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg
The main symptoms of a blood clot in the leg include:
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Sharp, throbbing pain in one leg, especially in the calf or thigh
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Redness in the affected area
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Swelling in the leg
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Warm skin around the painful area
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Leg pain that gets worse when flexing the foot
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Swollen, hardened veins in the affected leg
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Trouble putting weight on the affected leg
In some cases, the skin may also turn bluish or purplish due to changes in blood oxygenation caused by the clot.
Blood clots in the leg, known medically as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), usually affect only one leg, and it’s rare for both legs to be affected.
Symptoms of a brain blood clot
The main symptoms of a brain blood clot include:
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Intense headache
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Loss of strength in one arm or leg
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Tingling or paralysis on one side of the body
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Slurred speech or facial drooping
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Dizziness and loss of balance
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Confusion or hallucinations
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Seizures
Headaches caused by a brain blood clot are one of the most common symptoms. They may be generalized or localized, get worse over time, and don’t improve with sleep or pain relievers.
These symptoms happen because of increased pressure in the brain, bleeding, or hemorrhage due to the partial or complete blockage of blood vessels in the brain.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs
The main symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs include:
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Sudden and severe shortness of breath
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Fast breathing
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Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing
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Coughing, with or without blood
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Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
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Excessive sweating
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Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
Other possible symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs, also known as pulmonary embolism, may include a feeling of anxiety and pale, clammy, or bluish skin.
Symptoms of a hemorrhoidal blood clot
The main symptoms of a hemorrhoidal blood clot include:
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Severe pain in the anal area
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Anal itching
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Rectal bleeding, especially during bowel movements or when straining
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Swelling around the anus
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Purple or blackish lumps around the anus
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Pain when sitting, walking, or having a bowel movement
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Burning sensation in the anal region
These symptoms occur when an internal or external hemorrhoid ruptures or gets compressed by the anus, causing blood to build up and form a clot.
Symptoms of an intestinal blood clot
The main symptoms of an intestinal blood clot include:
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Sudden and severe abdominal pain
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Abdominal swelling
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Bloody diarrhea or constipation
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Gastrointestinal bleeding
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Nausea and vomiting
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Fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
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Loss of appetite
Intestinal blood clots can be acute when a clot blocks blood flow to the intestines suddenly, or chronic when the blockage develops more slowly over several days or weeks.
Symptoms of a placental blood clot
The main symptoms of a placental blood clot include:
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Decreased or no fetal movement
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Slow fetal growth or fetal growth restriction
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Heavy vaginal bleeding due to placental abruption
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Abdominal pain and high blood pressure
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Swelling and rapid weight gain
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Uterine contractions that may lead to preterm labor
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Fetal death or stillbirth
Placental blood clots occur when a clot forms in the veins or arteries of the placenta, reducing the amount of blood reaching the fetus.
These symptoms are not always felt by the pregnant woman and may be detected only during routine prenatal exams.
However, this is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, so a hospital visit is necessary as soon as symptoms appear.
How to confirm a blood clot
A blood clot is diagnosed at the hospital by a general practitioner, angiologist, proctologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, or obstetrician. Diagnosis is based on symptom review, a physical exam, and medical history.
To confirm the diagnosis, doctors usually request blood tests like a complete blood count, coagulation profile, or D-dimer test.
Doctors may also order imaging tests such as a regular or Doppler ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
What to do
If any blood clot symptoms appear, it is important to go to the emergency room immediately. Blood clots are medical emergencies that need urgent treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
At the hospital, the doctor may recommend treatment with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, thrombolytic medications, or surgery to remove the clot and restore blood circulation in the area.