Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a ProviderFAQNext in Blood Clots GuideHow Blood Clots Are Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Provider
FAQ
Next in Blood Clots Guide
The signs and symptoms of ablood clotinclude swelling, skin tenderness and warmth, and even chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Blood clot symptoms vary depending on the size and whether it’s in a vein or an artery. The severity of blood clot symptoms also depends on what’scausingthem.
This article will go over the common signs and symptoms of a blood clot and what to do if you’re experiencing them.
How Blood Clots Are Diagnosed
Common Blood Clot Symptoms
It is possible to have no symptoms with a blood clot—for example, if you have a clot in your kidney. However, blood clots in major veins or arteries will usually cause symptoms that are serious and require emergency medical care.
Blood clots can occur in different veins and arteries. The symptoms are specific to where the clot is located.
Symptomsof a blood clot related todeep vein thrombosis (DVT)include:
Symptoms of a blood clot that may suggest a heart attack may involve:
Symptoms of a blood clot that may suggest a stroke include:
How Blood Clots Are Treated and Prevented
Blood Clot Complications
Blood clots can, but do not always, cause complications. However, know that you may not have any of the common symptoms of a clot before these complications happen.
Risk FactorsSome health conditions, including diabetes andatherosclerosis, increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Lifestyle factors like being a smoker also raise your risk of a blood clot.It’s also important to know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot if you take birth control pills, are pregnant or postpartum, take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or have recently hadsurgery.
Risk Factors
Some health conditions, including diabetes andatherosclerosis, increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Lifestyle factors like being a smoker also raise your risk of a blood clot.It’s also important to know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot if you take birth control pills, are pregnant or postpartum, take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or have recently hadsurgery.
Some health conditions, including diabetes andatherosclerosis, increase your risk of developing a blood clot. Lifestyle factors like being a smoker also raise your risk of a blood clot.
It’s also important to know the signs and symptoms of a blood clot if you take birth control pills, are pregnant or postpartum, take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or have recently hadsurgery.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
A blood clot and its complications can be life-threatening. If you have signs or symptoms of a blood clot and feel like you could be having a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Blood Clots Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Summary
The signs and symptoms of a blood clot depend on where it is, how big it is, and what is causing it. If you think you could have a blood clot, don’t wait to get medical care. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the lower your risk of possibly life-threatening complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
A blood clot can feel different depending on where in the body it’s located. Common blood clot symptoms are chest pain and shortness of breath or swelling, warmth, and pain or sensitivity in one part of your body, such as your leg.
The bodynaturally forms blood clotswhen you get a cut or other minor injury. These clots dissolve when they’re no longer needed.
Blood clotting abnormalities are arelatively common complication of COVID-19. These blood clots can result from bed rest during hospitalization, inflammation related to the infection, or a rise in the levels of coagulating (blood-clot-forming) proteins in the blood.
Are You At Risk for a Blood Clot?
6 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.National Blood Clot Alliance.Signs and symptoms of blood clots.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.American Stroke Association.Stroke symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pulmonary hypertension.American Society of Hematology.Blood Clots.Additional ReadingMedline Plus.Blood clots.
6 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.National Blood Clot Alliance.Signs and symptoms of blood clots.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.American Stroke Association.Stroke symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pulmonary hypertension.American Society of Hematology.Blood Clots.Additional ReadingMedline Plus.Blood clots.
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.
National Blood Clot Alliance.Signs and symptoms of blood clots.Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.American Stroke Association.Stroke symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pulmonary embolism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pulmonary hypertension.American Society of Hematology.Blood Clots.
National Blood Clot Alliance.Signs and symptoms of blood clots.
Texas Heart Institute.Heart attack warning signs.
American Stroke Association.Stroke symptoms.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pulmonary embolism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About pulmonary hypertension.
American Society of Hematology.Blood Clots.
Medline Plus.Blood clots.
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