Many ailments are not known about until it’s too late, but others are preventable if you know what to look for. I have personal knowledge about this. I had a blood clot in my left leg but I knew what it was the moment my toes started turning blue. I went to the hospital and they operated immediately after jjust one test. They placed a stent in my left leg. Blood clots can and usually do lead to a stroke if not treated. You could also lose body parts that die because they did not have any blood circulating through them.
Here are the six signs to watch out for:
1. Swelling in one limb. This is a symptom of a kind of blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that prevents blood flow in the circulation system. DVT is especially dangerous because it prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs, explains Prevention.
2. Leg pain or tenderness. A common symptom of DVT is pain or tenderness in the leg, says the National Blood Clot Alliance. This pain is sometimes described as a cramp or Charley horse.
3. Red streaks on your skin. Remember, a bruise is a form of blood clot. But if you see red streaks running along the length of your veins, know this is no normal bruise. Seek immediate medical attention. Prevention says these red streaks often make the limb feel warm to the touch.
4. Chest pain with deep breathing. If you experience these symptoms together, the National Blood Clot Alliance says you may be experiencing a blood clot in the lungs. If you have any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention, as this blood clot can quickly turn fatal.
5. Shortness of breath. If you have trouble taking deep breaths, you may have a blood clot in the lungs, says Prevention. You may also experience a fluttering in the chest, a racing heart, or dizziness. Any of these symptoms warrants immediate medical attention.
6. Unexplained cough. If you are coughing for no reason, Prevention says to pay attention to your heart rate, chest, and breath. If you have an unexplained cough with any of the above symptoms, call your doctor.
If you think you or a loved one are experiencing a blood clot, seek immediate medical attention. Call your doctor, 911, or get to the hospital. A blood clot can be fatal. Don’t take the risk.