Blood Clot Symptoms: Recognizing Warning Signs & Risks

Blood clots are the body's natural way to heal a wound and stop its bleeding. These blood clots generally dissolve by themselves and are not considered dangerous to your health. However, if they form in veins or arteries, they can prevent blood from flowing to vital organs in the body and have a devastating effect. There are symptoms though, and these symptoms will vary depending on the area of the body the clot has formed in.

Abdomen

• If a blood clot has formed in the abdomen, it can cause extreme pain and vomiting.

Brain

• Blood clots in the brain can affect visualization, problems speaking and seizures.

Heart

• If a blood clot has formed in the heart, not only can it cause a heart attack, but the clot can become loose and travel to other organs in the body.

Lungs

• You may experience chest pain, a fever and blood-tinged sputum while coughing.

Extremities

• Blood clots in the arms and legs may cause swelling of the affected area, blue discoloration of the skin and pain and tenderness in the affected area.