Signs of blood clot that require immediate emergency

Unpleasant sensations in the extremities and altered skin appearance can indicate a blood clot, Russian vascular surgeon Andrei Chupin says.

According to the specialist, a number of symptoms may indicate a possible blood clot that requires an ambulance. Such symptoms occur most often in the extremities, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis is most often involved.

According to Chupin, the following signs may indicate a blood clot:

• Whitened or reddened skin in the area of the limb where the blood clot has formed,
• Pain,
• Numbness,
• Abnormally cold or, on the contrary, hot to the touch skin of the limb exposed to the thrombosis,
• Swelling of the limb (may be in one limb only),
• Swollen veins that can be very painful if touched.

The doctor says that it's important to call an ambulance when you have these symptoms and not get to the point where motor function is impaired.

If a clot that has formed on the wall of a vessel breaks off and enters the bloodstream, it can enter the arteries connecting to the heart, brain or lungs. A large clot can block their cavity, resulting in life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack or stroke.

In addition to the extremities, blood clots can form in vessels in other parts of the body. For example, if a blood clot occurs in the vessels around the lungs, a person may experience shortness of breath without any increase in physical exertion and dizziness, pain or tingling in the chest when taking a deep breath.