Can you feel a blood clot?

Blood clots affect more than 900,000 Americans every year, and unfortunately it is estimated that 247 people die from them each day.

A blood clot is a group of blood cells that have collected in the veins to form a gel-like, or solid, mass that can potentially interrupt and hamper blood flow.  Blood clots are often the result of a condition known as DVT, or Deep Vein Thrombosis.  DVT  can develop from a number of situations such as a family history of blood clots, prolonged sitting or inactivity like travel on a plane flight, certain medications or hormones, pregnancy, or following surgery or a traumatic injury.

Clots typically form in the legs and can be dangerous, even fatal, if they break off and travel upwards towards the heart or lungs (a pulmonary embolism).

With March being Blood Clot Awareness Month, our board-certified vascular surgeons at VeinSolutions are spreading awareness about how to spot a clot and what it might feel like.

Our vein specialists not only treat the outward cosmetic appearance of your legs, but we can medically treat any venous disorders happening deep within your body as well.

Blood clot symptoms can often be hard to recognize as they typically occur under the skin’s surface. Some common signs of a blood clot that are visible include redness or discoloration of the skin where the clot may be occurring, or a protruding vein or mass under the skin.

In the absence of any of these signs, how would you know if you are experiencing a blood clot?

Can you feel a blood clot?

 Blood clots that occur deep under the skin’s surface are often hard to feel, but you may sense something is wrong if you experience the following:

• Sudden pain or tenderness at a spot on your legs
• Skin that feels warm or hot to the touch
• A sudden aching or throbbing sensation unrelated to an injury or other circumstance

If a blood clot has broken off from the veins in your legs and started traveling up towards your heart or lungs, you may experience different symptoms. Signs that a pulmonary embolism is occurring might include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Light-headedness or feeling dizzy
• Coughing up blood

These are all signs that should be taken very seriously, and you should seek medical help right away for any of them.

How is a blood clot treated?

Once a blood clot is diagnosed, via ultrasound or CT scan, it is most often treated with anticoagulant medications/blood thinners to dissolve the clot. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to remove the clot via a procedure called a thrombectomy.

More information about your risk for developing blood clots can be found here.

Contact VeinSolutions for Your Consultation Today

Our board-certified vascular surgeons and vein specialists are skilled in both cosmetic and therapeutic treatments for varicose veins while dedicated to enhancing your overall circulatory health.

To schedule an appointment with a vein specialist in Austin, please contact us here or call 512.452.VEIN (8346), or 512.501.4287 for our clinic in Georgetown, and 512.651.8420 for Kyle.

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