Blood clots form when blood thickens and blocks blood vessels, which can lead to serious conditions like heart attacks or strokes. Symptoms are often mild, so knowing the warning signs is crucial.
1. Swollen Calves
Clots often form in the calves (DVT), causing swelling, warmth, redness, or discoloration.
2. Leg Pain or Tenderness
Pain in your calf, foot, or leg—especially when squeezed—can be another sign of DVT.
3. Red Stripes on Veins
Visible red lines along veins may signal a clot. These areas might feel hot or sore.
4. Chest Pain
Clots in the lungs can cause sharp chest pain or pressure. Seek urgent medical help.
5. Breathing Difficulty
Shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting could mean a clot in the lungs.
6. Dry Cough
A persistent dry cough—especially with chest pain or bloody phlegm—could point to a lung clot.
7. Vomiting or Diarrhea
Stomach pain, nausea, and bloody diarrhea may signal a clot in the intestines.
8. Severe Headache
A sudden, intense headache, vision or speech issues, or numbness may indicate a stroke.