Blood clots play a major role in myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack. Over time, the
coronary arteries can develop plaques—a buildup of cholesterol, fibrous tissue, and
inflammatory cells—in a process called atherosclerosis. Smoking, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and diabetes are risk factors for atherosclerosis; over time, they cause injury to the
blood vessels and lead to more plaque formation. In some cases, these plaques become unstable
and fracture, triggering the body to form a blood clot at that site. The blood clot may block the
coronary artery and starve the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in a heart attack.
Blood clots form when blood thickens, forming a semisolid mass. They normally only form if a
blood vessel is injured, such as if there is a cut to the skin, and bleeding starts. The blood
thickens and forms a clot at the site of the cut to stop the bleeding.
Blood clots are the first line of defense if something damages your delicate blood vessels. If you
cut yourself from shaving, blood clots are why the bleeding usually stops after a few seconds or
minutes. The blood clot and platelets forming the clot are the “first responders” to the scene of
the injury. Blood clotting (coagulation) is an important, natural process that occurs to prevent
excessive bleeding, and normally the blood clot will naturally dissolve after the injury has
healed.
You can develop a blood clot for other reasons, such as being immobile for a long time or having
medical conditions that increase your blood clot risk. When that happens, your blood doesn’t
flow as it should.
Blood clots are made of platelets and fibrin. Platelets are small colorless fragments of cells that
your bone marrow makes. Fibrin is a blood protein. It’s sticky and may look like long strings.
Platelets and fibrin work together to seal injured areas of your blood vessels.
A blood clot may look like a clump of reddish jelly held in place with netting. A closer look at a
blood clot may show cells that look like tiny plates. These are platelets. The netting is fibrin.
Blood clots red color comes from red blood cells that are trapped in fibrin as they flow past the
injured area.
Blood clots can happen if the blood starts to clot more easily (e.g., if a person is unwell), if there
are changes to the walls of the veins (e.g., as a result of a long period of sitting), or if there are
changes in how the blood flows.
However, blood clots can also form on the inside of blood vessels that don’t have an obvious
injury, and some may not dissolve naturally. A blood clot forming inside a blood vessel is known
as a thrombus.
An immobile blood clot attached to the inside of a blood vessel is generally not harmful.
However, such a blood clot can become dangerous if it breaks free and travels through the blood
vessels, as it could become lodged and block arterial blood flow.
If a blood clot blocks arterial blood flow to the heart, it can lead to a heart attack. If it occurs in
an artery to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
How do blood clots form?
Blood clots form when blood clotting cells – known as platelets – are triggered to stick to each
other, and to diseased or damaged blood vessels. These blood clot “road blocks” are secured in
place by strands of fibrin, likened to mortar securing in place bricks (platelets) to create a solid
and secure blood clot in the blood vessel.
Unwanted blood clots within blood vessels (thrombosis) can form as a result of atherosclerosis.
In this slow, progressive process, atherosclerotic plaques that are made up of fat, cholesterol,
calcium and other substances build up in the walls of the arteries. Over time, these plaques
harden, narrow the opening of the arteries and restrict the blood flow. If these plaques break
open, they form a blood clot.
Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Types of blood clots
There are two main types of blood clots depending on which blood vessels are blocked.
Arterial blood clots
These are when a blood clot blocks an artery. Blood clots in the arteries can be dangerous, as the
arteries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart around the body. The clots can
prevent oxygen and nutrients from reaching essential organs like the heart and the brain.
Venous blood clots
These are when a blood clot blocks a vein. Veins carry deoxygenated blood away from the
body’s organs back to the heart. A blood clot in a vein can restrict the return of blood to the
heart, resulting in serious problems.
Problems caused by blood clots
Blood clots in the heart
Blood clots in the heart can block critical blood flow and result in a heart attack (also known as a
myocardial infarction). If the blockage stops blood flow to the heart, the amount of oxygen that
the heart receives is reduced. Without oxygen, the heart muscle can start to die. The longer that
the blockage remains untreated, the greater the damage to the heart. Without treatment to restore
blood flow, the heart can be permanently damaged.
The chest pain felt in a heart attack is caused by the lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. The
damaged muscles cries its own unique “tears” called Troponins, signifying cardiac muscle
damage. Time is muscle and it is imperative to get intervention as soon as possible. First
responders typically give 325 mg aspirin to immediately prevent platelet aggregation (clumping
together to form a clot). Should you take aspirin for this reason, it is very important to to chew
the aspirin. If you swallow the pill whole, it will not dissolve and act immediately due to the
enteric coating, used to prevent stomach irritation and delay breakdown of the pill.
Blood clots in the brain
A blood clot in the brain can block the supply of oxygen-carrying blood to the brain, causing a
stroke. Brain tissue and heart muscle start dying without a constant supply of oxygen, so it is
critical to treat the stroke or heart attack as soon as possible. The longer a stroke remains
untreated, the greater the chance that brain cells will die, leaving behind permanent stroke-
related brain damage. Time is Tissue and Time is Muscle! These debilitating effects to the brain
can include weakness on one side of the body, difficulty controlling movements, personality or
behavior changes, or problems speaking and understanding.
Blood clots in the legs
A blood clot in the limbs can lead to peripheral artery disease. While PAD is not immediately
life threatening, someone with PAD has a greatly increased risk of having a heart attack or
stroke. The reduced blow flow to the limbs can also lead to the limb developing gangrene, where
it starts to decay and die. The only treatment option for gangrene is to amputate the affected limb
to prevent the gangrene from spreading further in the body.
Blood clots can also cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which most commonly affects major
veins in the leg. In DVT, there is the risk that a clot breaks off, travels through the blood stream,
and becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery (the main blood vessel to the lungs). This is known
as a pulmonary embolism and can be extremely dangerous. DVT can also occur in the arms,
pelvis or other large veins in the body, but this is less common.
Blood clot symptoms
The signs and symptoms of blood clots will vary depending on where the clot is located, and
they may appear similar to symptoms of other conditions. It is also possible to have a blood clot
with no apparent symptoms.
It’s important to know the signs to look out for, but only a healthcare professional can confirm
whether you have a blood clot. They will do so by looking at your symptoms and medical
history, and they may also order tests, such as an ultrasound to show an image of your blood
vessels.
Signs of blood clots: how do you know if you have a blood clot in the heart?
Symptoms of blood clots in the heart can include chest pain, light-headedness, discomfort in
other areas of the upper body (such as the neck, back, jaw or arm), shortness of breath, sweating
and nausea.
Signs of blood clots: how do you know if you have a blood clot in the brain?
Symptoms of blood clots in the brain are the same as the symptoms of a stroke. These can
include numbness or weakness in the arm, face or leg (especially on one side of the body),
slurred speech or trouble speaking or understanding others, dizziness or a sudden, severe
headache, or vision problems.
Signs of blood clots: how do you know if you have a blood clot in the arm or leg?
Symptoms of blood clots in the arm or leg can range from mild to severe, depending on the size
of the clot. These can include swelling, sudden or gradual pain, tenderness or a warm sensation
in the location of the clot.
The risk of blood clots
Blood clots are common, and in general they can be harmless. The risk factors for developing a
blood clot in an artery versus a vein are different, and people may be at risk of one but not the
other. Usually there is a combination of factors that leads to a blood clot, but you are more likely
to develop a blood clot if you:
have other medical conditions that make clotting more likely, such as a blood disorder,
heart condition or diabetes
do not move around or are immobile for a long period of time, such as through
hospitalization or sitting on a long-haul flight
have had surgery or a major injury, especially to the legs
have had a blood clot before or a family history of blood clots
are on certain medicines that may increase your risk of clotting or that contain estrogen,
such as birth control and hormone replacement therapy
are pregnant or six weeks post-birth
have varicose veins
are over 50, as age can increase the body’s natural ability to clot.
**have had pharmaceutical injections making you prone to clots
Certain lifestyle factors also increase your risk of blood clots. These include:
being inactive in general
being overweight or obese
having high blood pressure or high cholesterol
smoking which causes vasoconstriction
being dehydrated
Preventing blood clotting
Making small adjustments to your lifestyle can help to decrease your risk of developing a blood
clot.
maintain a healthy weight by eating heart-healthy, nutritious food
keep physically active – stay motivated by choosing the best exercise for your life stage.
avoid long periods of inactivity or sitting by taking regular breaks to move around.
manage high blood pressure and control cholesterol levels and inflammation
stay well-hydrated, as dehydration can contribute to the development of blood clots.
schedule a consult with Mary Yuter, RN founder of the results-oriented cardiac wellness
To prevent blood clots from forming, a doctor may prescribe blood thinning or anticoagulation
medication to thin the blood and make it less likely to clot. You can also work with Mary to
implement a tactical nourishment strategy to mitigate clots and improve circulation as part of her
program protocols.
Blood clot treatment
How a blood clot is treated will depend on its type, its location and your overall health condition.
Medication may be prescribed to thin the blood and make it less likely to clot, preventing blood
clots from forming (anticoagulants). There is also medication available to dissolve blood clots
(thrombolytics). In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary, such as a thromboectomy
to remove a blood clot.
You do not have to be a bystander to clot formation. You have the power to support your body to homeostasis, its natural innate state of wellness. Book your consultation www.hearttosoulcw.com with Mary today!
Interesting...thanks for the FYI