Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Blood ClotsLab TestsImaging TestsProceduresFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Blood Clots GuideHere’s How to Get Rid of Blood Clots
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Blood Clots
Lab Tests
Imaging Tests
Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Blood Clots Guide
When a blood vessel is damaged, your body’sblood clottingability prevents too much blood from being lost. Forming a clot is also the first step in healing the injury.
Sometimes, ablood clotforms when it doesn’t need to and blocks ablood vessel. This stops blood from getting to the organs attached to the vessel. When their blood supply is cut off, the organs get damaged and stop working.
The symptoms of organ damage can be the first clue that someone has a blood clot. In some cases, a blood clot can be life-threatening rather than life-saving. That’s why it’s very important to find out if you have one.
In this article, you will learn about how healthcare providers can diagnose blood clots.
© Verywell, 2018
There are two types ofblood clotsthat can cause serious health problems: a thrombus and an embolus.
Athrombusis a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel. Anembolusis a blood clot that travels through a blood vessel and causes a blockage somewhere else in the body.
Blood clots damage tissue because they block blood from flowing through vessels. When the tissue doesn’t get oxygen and nutrients from blood, it can lead to conditions like astroke.
A thrombus or embolus can lead to several health conditions:
Thetreatment for a blood clotdepends on where it is. One of the most common treatments is a type of medication called blood thinners.
These medications are good at breaking up clots or keeping them from getting bigger. However, they also have serious side effects. People who takeblood thinnersare at risk for bleeding problems.
Recap
How Blood Thinners Work
There are a few lab tests that healthcare providers can use to diagnose a blot clot. The tests can tell if your body’s blood clotting system isn’t working right.
How to Prevent Blood Clots
D-Dimer Blood Test
AD-dimerblood test can tell if there has recently been abnormal clotting activity somewhere in the bloodstream. The test can help providers pin down a diagnosis of a DVT or pulmonary embolus.However, the D-dimer value is not specific to a blood clot. It is possible to have an elevated D-Dimer but not have a blood clot.
Cardiac Biomarkers
COVID and Blood Clots
Imaging tests can help spot a blood clot. Some of the tests can see if there is damage from a blood clot. There are also tests that can tell whether you are at risk of getting a blood clot.
Compression Ultrasound
A compression ultrasound test is useful fordiagnosing a DVT.The test is non-invasive, which means there are no needles or cuts. The ultrasound wand goes over the spot on your body that your provider wants to get a picture of.
Blood Clot in Heart: Cardiac Thrombosis vs Coronary Thrombosis
V/Q Scan
CT Scan
Acomputerized tomography (CT)scan is a type of X-ray. It gives provides very detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
MRI Scan
MRI scansare helpful for seeing whether there is early organ damage after a person has a stroke, a PE, portal vein thrombosis, or renal vein thrombosis.
However, an MRI takes longer than other imaging tests. If a person is in need of immediate care, a provider might use a CT scan instead.
RecapImaging tests can help find a blood clot. They can also show organ damage from a clot.
Imaging tests can help find a blood clot. They can also show organ damage from a clot.
There are also some other tests providers can use to look for blood clots. These tests use imaging but also have some extra steps.
Angiography or Venography
Angiographyandvenographyare imaging procedures that use special dyes to help “light up” the inside of the body. The dyes are injected into the blood vessel that a provider thinks has a clot in it. Then, imaging machines are used to take pictures of the vessel.
There are also versions of these tests that look for specific types of blood clots:
Echocardiography
Echocardiogramslook at the heart and see how it is working. Providers can also use them to see if a thrombus has formed in the heart.
Having some heart conditions makes clots more likely to show up in certain places. For example, in people with atrial fibrillation, clots are usually found in the left atrium of theheart. In people with dilatedcardiomyopathy, the clots appear in the left ventricle.
Echocardiograms can also show problems that could make it easier for an embolus to go in and out of the heart. One example of this type of condition is a birth defect calledpatent foramen ovale.
RecapSome tests use dye to “light up” the inside of the body. The pictures from the scans show how blood is moving through the body. They can also spot problems with organs that could make it easier for a blot clot to form or move.
Some tests use dye to “light up” the inside of the body. The pictures from the scans show how blood is moving through the body. They can also spot problems with organs that could make it easier for a blot clot to form or move.
Summary
A blood clot can be a life-threatening medical condition. Sometimes, people don’t know they have a blood clot. However, people often have symptoms because clots damage organs and tissues.
If a healthcare provider thinks someone has a blood clot, they can do different tests to make the diagnosis. Lab tests and imaging tests can also help providers figure out the kind of clot a person has.
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A Word From Verywell
Your body’s ability to make blood clots can be life-saving. However, if clots form when they don’t need to, it can be life-threatening. It’s important to know if you have a blood clot because it can damage your body and cause serious health problems.
There are many tests that healthcare providers can use to figure out if you have a blood clot. Some can also help determine if you are at risk of getting a blood clot.
If you have symptoms that could be from a blood clot, get medical care right away.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. The D-dimer blood test can help determine if a blood clot has occurred. It can identify adeep vein thrombosis(DVT) or apulmonary embolus(PE).Cardiac biomarkerscan be used to see if there is damage to the heart muscle. This can be a hint that a blood clot has developed in the blood vessels of the heart.Lab tests and imaging tests can show signs that there is a blood clot in the leg or aDVTsomewhere else in the body.Here are a few tests your provider might do to look for a blood clot in your leg:D-dimer blood testCompression ultrasoundContrast venographyComputed tomography (CT) scanMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanProviders can use one or more of the following tests to look for clots in the lungs:V/Q scanPulmonary angiographyComputed tomography (CT) scanMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanIt’s possible to have a blood clot withoutsymptoms. However, people often have some warning signs. Symptoms that could be a sign you have a blood clot include:Skin tenderness, redness, and warmth in an area of the bodySwelling (usually just in one leg)Shortness of breathChest painDizziness
Yes. The D-dimer blood test can help determine if a blood clot has occurred. It can identify adeep vein thrombosis(DVT) or apulmonary embolus(PE).Cardiac biomarkerscan be used to see if there is damage to the heart muscle. This can be a hint that a blood clot has developed in the blood vessels of the heart.
Lab tests and imaging tests can show signs that there is a blood clot in the leg or aDVTsomewhere else in the body.Here are a few tests your provider might do to look for a blood clot in your leg:D-dimer blood testCompression ultrasoundContrast venographyComputed tomography (CT) scanMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
Lab tests and imaging tests can show signs that there is a blood clot in the leg or aDVTsomewhere else in the body.Here are a few tests your provider might do to look for a blood clot in your leg:
Providers can use one or more of the following tests to look for clots in the lungs:V/Q scanPulmonary angiographyComputed tomography (CT) scanMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
Providers can use one or more of the following tests to look for clots in the lungs:
It’s possible to have a blood clot withoutsymptoms. However, people often have some warning signs. Symptoms that could be a sign you have a blood clot include:Skin tenderness, redness, and warmth in an area of the bodySwelling (usually just in one leg)Shortness of breathChest painDizziness
It’s possible to have a blood clot withoutsymptoms. However, people often have some warning signs. Symptoms that could be a sign you have a blood clot include:
Medications That Treat Blood Clots
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About venous thromboembolism (blood clots).Wu M, Schuster M, Tadros M.Update on Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis and the Role of Novel Anticoagulants. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019;7(2):154-164. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2018.00057Mazhar HR, Aeddula NR.Renal Vein Thrombosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Weitz JI, Fredenburgh JC, Eikelboom JW.A test in context: D-dimer.J Am Coll Cardiol.2017;70:2411. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.024Aydin S, Ugur K, Aydin S, Sahin İ, Yardim M.Biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction: Current perspectives.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019;15:1-10. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S166157Gibson NS, Schellong SM, Kheir DY, et al.Safety And Sensitivity Of Two Ultrasound Strategies In Patients With Clinically Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Management Study. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:2035. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03635.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing and diagnosis for venous thromboembolism.Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, et al.Resolution Of Pulmonary Embolism On Ct Pulmonary Angiography. Ajr Am J Roentgenol 2010; 194:1263. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.3410National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is venous thromboembolism.National Blood Clot Alliance.Blood clot info: Risks, symptoms, and prevention.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.Additional ReadingFields JM, Davis J, Girson L, et al.Transthoracic Echocardiography For Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:714. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2017.03.004
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About venous thromboembolism (blood clots).Wu M, Schuster M, Tadros M.Update on Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis and the Role of Novel Anticoagulants. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019;7(2):154-164. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2018.00057Mazhar HR, Aeddula NR.Renal Vein Thrombosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Weitz JI, Fredenburgh JC, Eikelboom JW.A test in context: D-dimer.J Am Coll Cardiol.2017;70:2411. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.024Aydin S, Ugur K, Aydin S, Sahin İ, Yardim M.Biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction: Current perspectives.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019;15:1-10. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S166157Gibson NS, Schellong SM, Kheir DY, et al.Safety And Sensitivity Of Two Ultrasound Strategies In Patients With Clinically Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Management Study. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:2035. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03635.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing and diagnosis for venous thromboembolism.Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, et al.Resolution Of Pulmonary Embolism On Ct Pulmonary Angiography. Ajr Am J Roentgenol 2010; 194:1263. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.3410National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is venous thromboembolism.National Blood Clot Alliance.Blood clot info: Risks, symptoms, and prevention.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.Additional ReadingFields JM, Davis J, Girson L, et al.Transthoracic Echocardiography For Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:714. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2017.03.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About venous thromboembolism (blood clots).Wu M, Schuster M, Tadros M.Update on Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis and the Role of Novel Anticoagulants. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019;7(2):154-164. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2018.00057Mazhar HR, Aeddula NR.Renal Vein Thrombosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Weitz JI, Fredenburgh JC, Eikelboom JW.A test in context: D-dimer.J Am Coll Cardiol.2017;70:2411. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.024Aydin S, Ugur K, Aydin S, Sahin İ, Yardim M.Biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction: Current perspectives.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019;15:1-10. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S166157Gibson NS, Schellong SM, Kheir DY, et al.Safety And Sensitivity Of Two Ultrasound Strategies In Patients With Clinically Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Management Study. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:2035. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03635.xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing and diagnosis for venous thromboembolism.Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, et al.Resolution Of Pulmonary Embolism On Ct Pulmonary Angiography. Ajr Am J Roentgenol 2010; 194:1263. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.3410National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is venous thromboembolism.National Blood Clot Alliance.Blood clot info: Risks, symptoms, and prevention.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About venous thromboembolism (blood clots).
Wu M, Schuster M, Tadros M.Update on Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis and the Role of Novel Anticoagulants. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2019;7(2):154-164. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2018.00057
Mazhar HR, Aeddula NR.Renal Vein Thrombosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Weitz JI, Fredenburgh JC, Eikelboom JW.A test in context: D-dimer.J Am Coll Cardiol.2017;70:2411. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.09.024
Aydin S, Ugur K, Aydin S, Sahin İ, Yardim M.Biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction: Current perspectives.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019;15:1-10. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S166157
Gibson NS, Schellong SM, Kheir DY, et al.Safety And Sensitivity Of Two Ultrasound Strategies In Patients With Clinically Suspected Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Management Study. J Thromb Haemost 2009; 7:2035. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03635.x
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing and diagnosis for venous thromboembolism.
Stein PD, Yaekoub AY, Matta F, et al.Resolution Of Pulmonary Embolism On Ct Pulmonary Angiography. Ajr Am J Roentgenol 2010; 194:1263. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.3410
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is venous thromboembolism.
National Blood Clot Alliance.Blood clot info: Risks, symptoms, and prevention.
Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.
Fields JM, Davis J, Girson L, et al.Transthoracic Echocardiography For Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:714. doi:10.1016/j.echo.2017.03.004
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