Why Did The Blood Clot Come Off? Causes, Symptoms And What To Do?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Why did the blood clot come off and what to do?

Most people learn about what a blood clot is only after the death of a loved one. Only later it becomes clear that a terrible tragedy could have been avoided if at least a little to show an interest in your health and listen to the reactions of your own body. At the time when the blood clot comes off, a person can die in just a few minutes and even doctors will no longer be able to help him. Knowing the causes and symptoms that indicate thrombosis, you can save your life and the life of a loved one.

A blood clot is a blood clot that forms inside a vessel, although normally it shouldn't be there. Detachment of a thrombus is a condition that carries a direct threat to life, therefore, all patients with diagnosed thrombosis need hospitalization. Every year one in 250 people dies from the consequences of thrombosis. Moreover, the disease often develops in young people.

The special danger of blood clots comes down to the suddenness of the pathological condition. In about 30% of cases, the first arterial thrombosis is fatal. The person dies quickly, within 30 minutes of the onset of the initial signs of the disease.

Content:

• How does a blood clot form?
• The reasons for the separation of a blood clot
• Signs of blood clot separation
• If a blood clot comes off - what to do?
• How to prevent a blood clot from breaking
• Thrombosis prevention strategy

How does a blood clot form?

A person needs blood in order for him to live. It circulates through the vessels, delivering nutrients to the organs, protective elements that help in the fight against viruses and bacteria. If a person is injured, then the blood clots, thereby blocking their access to the body. The ability of blood to form clots and clog the lumen of a vessel with them can sometimes play a cruel joke with a person, which will lead to disability or even death.

The blood has fluidity so that it can clot at the right time, the mechanisms of the coagulation system are activated. It triggers the formation of protein fibrin filaments, which clogs the vessel, preventing excess blood from leaking out.

Also, the human body has an anticoagulant system that fights the formation of blood clots in those tissues that have not lost their integrity. If at some point there is a malfunction in the functioning of these two systems, then blood clots begin to form in the vessels.

They are located near the inner wall of the vein, passing through several stages:

• The thrombus begins to grow in the place where the vessel is damaged and inflamed. Most often this happens against the background of thrombophlebitis. The body reacts to the inflamed vessel by activating the blood coagulation system. It triggers the production of fibrin fibers, which are concentrated near the site of inflammation.
• Erythrocytes and platelets begin to become entangled in fibrin fibers.
• New blood cells, which are brought in with the blood stream, continue to "stick" to the clot, making it larger and larger. It increases in size, becomes denser and can come off at any time.

Blood clots can also form in arteries when a vessel becomes narrowed. Cholesterol plaques that have grown on the arterial walls are an obstacle to normal blood flow, as a result of which a clot of fibrin filaments and platelets begins to grow.

Risk factors for blood clots:

• Belonging to the male sex, over 40 years old.
• Belonging to the female sex, over 50 years old. The increased risk of thrombosis is caused by climacteric changes in the body.
• Dehydration of the body.
• Cancer tumor of a malignant nature.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Serious inaccuracies in nutrition.
• Taking certain medications. Hormonal contraceptives are especially dangerous in terms of the formation of blood clots.
• Postponed operation.
• Violation of the normal blood flow through the vessel as a result of its compression.
• Pregnancy.
• Injuries to the veins in the legs.
• Heart failure.
• Infections.

Thrombi, which form in large vessels, pose a danger to human life. Their separation will lead to the rapid death of the patient.

The reasons for the separation of a blood clot

The thrombus can be parietal, or it can be floating. If a blood clot is located near a cholesterol plaque, then it is less likely to come off than a floating clot. The latter "sits" on a thin stem, which has a weak attachment to the vascular wall. It is the floating blood clots that most often lead to the development of pulmonary embolism and strokes.

Also, vagus blood clots can be present in the body, which are a serious threat to life.

A blood clot can come off as a result of the following influences:

• The blood flow is greatly accelerated.
• The thrombus has formed in a wide vessel.
• The leg of the thrombus is weak.

After separation, the thrombus begins to travel with the blood flow along the vascular bed. During this time, it often disintegrates into small fractions. Once in a vessel that does not exceed its size, a thrombus clogs it. This entails an arrest of blood flow and disrupts the nutrition of the limb or organ. This pathological condition is called occlusion.

Signs of blood clot separation

If you recognize in a timely manner that a blood clot has come off a person, this can save his life.

The consequences of the disaster that happened may be as follows:

• A blockage of a blood vessel by a blood vessel is called a stroke. Its main features are: speech disorders, facial asymmetry, impaired coordination of movements, paralysis of the limbs. If a blood clot enters a vein in the brain, then the person will suffer from dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, etc.
• If a blood clot enters the coronary arteries, then the patient develops a myocardial infarction. A person experiences severe pain in the region of the heart, in the neck, abdomen, between the shoulder blades.
• Mesenteral thrombus leads to intestinal vascular embolism. In this case, a person experiences severe abdominal pain, which occurs unexpectedly, against the background of absolute well-being. This is the reason for the immediate call of the ambulance team. If a person is not provided with emergency assistance, this will lead to the death of intestinal tissue, infection of the peritoneal cavity and death.
• When a blood clot clogs a vessel feeding a limb, it can cause gangrene. Symptoms of an embolism of the veins of the arms or legs are severe pain, blue tissue in the appropriate place.
• Blockage of the pulmonary artery by thrombus is the most serious condition, which often ends in death of the patient. A thrombus can enter the pulmonary artery from the veins of the lower extremities. Most often this happens against the background of thrombophlebitis. With PE, a person can die in a few minutes from heart or lung failure.

If a person has one or more of the above symptoms, one should not hesitate to see a doctor. When there is a suspicion of thrombosis, it is necessary to tell the doctor about this, which will facilitate the diagnosis. If a person knows that he suffers from atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, coronary artery disease and other diseases that involve the risk of a blood clot rupture, the doctor should be informed about this.

It is worth noting that about 50% of people who underwent thrombosis did not experience any pathological symptoms until an acute circulatory disorder occurred.

The following signs can help detect a thrombus:

• Most often, blood clots are localized in the veins of the lower extremities. A developed system of veins that protrude under the skin can lead to the idea of thrombosis. The vessels can be compacted, sometimes they become inflamed, which can be noticed by the reddening of the skin and by the pain that occurs when touching them. If you touch this area, you can feel the heat.

  

• A thrombus that has formed in deep veins can make itself felt by swelling in a characteristic place, general malaise and unexplained jumps in body temperature.

If a blood clot comes off - what to do?

If a blood clot has come off a person, then it is impossible to hesitate to call an ambulance. Moreover, even a doctor will not be able to make an accurate diagnosis without special equipment. Therefore, the victim must be urgently hospitalized.

There can be two treatment regimens for thrombosis: either the patient is prescribed a drug correction, or he is sent for surgery.

Drug therapy includes:

• Anticoagulant prescription. These drugs help to thin the blood (Heparin, Warfarin).
• Course treatment with statins.
• The appointment of fibrinolytics.
• The appointment of thrombolytics, which are necessary to dissolve the thrombus.

If the problem cannot be solved with the help of drugs, or the person develops complications of thrombosis, he is shown an operation called thrombectomy. It is also possible to install special cava filters that will "catch" blood clots, preventing them from clogging up vital vessels.

How to prevent a blood clot from breaking

People whose blood relatives suffered from thrombosis have a high risk of developing a similar condition. Therefore, you should be regularly examined by a doctor for the detection of dangerous vascular growths. Modern medicine has all the necessary tools to detect a thrombus and prevent its separation.

If a person's blood is characterized by increased coagulability, he will be prescribed medications (antiplatelet agents). Sometimes they are required to be taken for life. It should be noted that only a doctor can recommend them, otherwise you can seriously harm your own health.

If the doctor diagnoses a blood clot that can come off with a high degree of probability, then the patient is urgently hospitalized and prepared for surgery.

People with thrombosis must strictly follow the doctor's instructions. They are not recommended to take a hot bath, visit saunas and baths, since all these procedures help to increase the flow of blood through the vessels. The ban is also imposed on visits to massage parlors and on the use of heating compresses.

To prevent blood from stagnating in the veins, it is necessary to move as much as possible, engage in physical education, and walk a lot.

If the patient has a risk of a blood clot rupture, then he is shown strict bed rest. Self-treatment of thrombosis or expectant tactics in this case is unacceptable.

A menu containing foods that lower blood cholesterol should be a priority. This will prevent the formation of atherosclerotic deposits on the vessels, and therefore reduce the risk of thrombosis. To this end, you can include in the diet of sea fish, seafood, broccoli, spinach, young potatoes, dairy products.

Thrombosis prevention strategy

The Society of Cardiology, created in Europe, has developed its own strategy for the prevention of thrombosis.

It was compiled taking into account the main risk factors leading to the development of the disease, and was named "0-3-5-140-5-3-0":

• 0 - completely give up such a bad habit as smoking. Moreover, this statement applies even to those people who are passive smokers. Inhaling tobacco smoke means being at risk for thrombosis.
• 3 - every day you need to walk at least 3 km on foot, and also go in for sports for 30 minutes.
• 5 - eat vegetables and fruits every day, 5 servings.
• 140 - the maximum pressure indicator should not exceed 140/90 mm. rt. Art.
• 5 - the indicator of total cholesterol in the blood should not exceed 5 mmol / l.
• 3 - the level of low-density lipids should be at least 3 mmol / l.
• 0 - do not get better, do not get diabetes.

If you follow this "health code", then the risks of developing thrombosis are significantly reduced.

Sometimes it happens that a person finds out about thrombosis only in a hospital ward. The disease is often asymptomatic. Therefore, thrombosis prevention should become a way of life. In addition, you should carefully listen to your body, which always gives signals of trouble.

The author of the article: Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich | c. m. n. surgeon, phlebologist

Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003 he received a diploma from the Educational and Scientific Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.