Conditions & Services / Blood Clot

While clotting is normal, when you have a blood clot in a blood vessel that fails to dissolve, you may be at risk of developing life-threatening complications like a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. HeartPlace provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at its 30 locations across North Texas. This includes finding and treating a blood clot. Schedule an appointment by calling the office nearest you or booking online today. 

What is a blood clot?

A blood clot is a gel-like clump of blood; platelets are the tiny substances in your blood that cause clotting. Your platelets stop cuts from bleeding and initiate the healing process.

Though clotting is normal, a blood clot that forms in your veins or arteries that fails to dissolve on its own can lead to health problems. 

What problems can a blood clot cause?

Many heart and vascular conditions may develop from a blood clot that fails to dissolve on its own. These problems include:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein in your leg or arm. These blood clots may cause symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain. 

These types of blood clots can be dangerous because they may dislodge from your vein and travel to the pulmonary artery, causing a pulmonary embolism. 

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A PE is a life-threatening condition that blocks the movement of oxygen-rich blood to your lungs and the rest of your body. If you suspect a PE (chest pain, shortness of breath), call 911 or  immediately go to the nearest emergency room.

Heart attack

Conditions that affect the flow of blood through your heart, such as coronary artery disease or arrhythmia, may increase your risk of developing a blood clot in the coronary artery. 

This blood clot may block blood flow through your heart, causing a heart attack. 

Am I at risk for having a blood clot?

Many factors increase your risk of developing a blood clot, including:

• History of high cholesterol
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) or arrhythmia
• Prolonged stay at the hospital
• Sitting for long periods
• Taking birth control
• Pregnancy
• History of COVID-19
• Family history of blood clots

Your risk of developing blood clots also increases as you get older.

How is a blood clot treated?

HeartPlace takes an individualized approach to care. Treatment for your blood clot may depend on location, cause, and your medical history. Your treatment plan may include:

• Anticoagulants
• Compression stockings
• Stents to open up the blood vessel
• Surgery to remove the blood clot
• Inferior vena cava (ICV) filter to prevent the blood clot from traveling to your lungs

Your cardiologist schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your blood clot and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

For expert blood clot care, call HeartPlace or schedule an appointment online today.