watch out for these signs of blood clots!

Blood clots can be life-threatening if they block veins or arteries, making awareness of the symptoms essential.

Blood clots are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is formed in response to bleeding.

On the other hand, they can mean serious cardiovascular complications, especially when they build up in your veins, also known as deep vein thrombosis.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be serious once clots in the veins break loose. The gel-like bubbles can then travel through the bloodstream and become stuck, blocking blood flow.

Warning signs of blood clots

This can be a recipe for life-threatening problems that require urgent medical attention, the NHS warns.

Fortunately, Professor Mark Whiteley, founder and consultant venous surgeon at Clinica Whiteleyshared the warning signs to look out for.

The expert recommended that you pay attention to the following symptoms:

• Painful veins
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the legs

The exact symptoms could depend on the position of the blood clot, according to Professor Whiteley.

He said: “If the clot is in the lower part of the leg, then the classic symptom is a painful lump, especially when the person tries to stand on their toes.

The discomfort may be sudden, but is more likely to progress over a few hours to a day. There may be some swelling.

If the clot is above the knee, then there is usually a generalized pain in the leg, especially the calf.

If the clot completely blocks the vein, then there can be quite significant swelling of the ankle and leg.”

He added that the entire leg can swell and even turn dark blue in more “extreme” cases.

Once you notice these symptoms, it’s important to have an “urgent medical evaluation by your doctor,” the professor advised.

“Because deep vein thrombosis can become larger and there is a risk that the clot will break off and travel to the lungs, which is potentially fatal, this is (considered) a medical emergency.”