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Thrombosis is a serious condition where one or more clots form inside of your blood vessels. When a clot forms, it may block blood flow where it forms, or it may break free and travel to another part of your body. Moving clots can cause fatal conditions such as strokes and heart attacks if they get stuck in a critical area.
Thrombosis can happen to people at any age, but it’s more common as people get older. This condition is also much more likely to happen when you have certain medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation.
Types of Thrombosis
- Arterial thrombosis. This involves a thrombus developing in an artery. Blood vessels carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. Depending on the size and location of the thrombus in the artery, arterial thrombosis may be minor or severe.
- Venous thrombosis. This involves a thrombus developing in a vein. Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Venous thromboembolism is a broader term that describes blood clots in veins.
What Causes Thrombosis?
Anything that prevents your blood from flowing or clotting normally can cause a blood clot. The main causes of deep vein thrombosis are damage to a vein from surgery or trauma and inflammation due to infection or injury. Other causes and risk factors for thrombosis are:
- Age and an inactive lifestyle. Being older than 60 increases your risk of DVT, though it can occur at any age. If your calf muscles do not move for long periods, blood clots can form in the calves.
- Pregnancy. Vein pressure in your pelvis and legs increases during pregnancy. Women with an inherited clotting disorder are especially at risk.
- Birth control pills. Both can increase your blood’s ability to clot.
- Being overweight or obese. Being overweight increases the pressure in the veins in your pelvis and legs.
- Cancer. Blood clotting substances are increased in your blood when you have cancer. Some forms of cancer treatment also increase the risk of blood clots.
- Heart failure. This increases your risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can cause more noticeable symptoms in people with heart failure because they have impaired heart and lung function.
- Genetics. Genes or disorders can lead to blood clots, which make people more likely to experience them.
Diagnosis for Thrombosis
The diagnostic tests depend if you are at a low or a high risk of thrombosis. Tests used to diagnose or rule out a blood clot include:
- D-dimer blood test
- Duplex ultrasound
- Venography
- MRI scan
Treatment for Thrombosis
The goal of the treatment is to prevent the clot from getting bigger and preventing your risk of having another thrombosis. Your doctor may prescribe blood thinners or anticoagulants. You can also have products that promotes circulation such as Veinaxyne Supplement and Gingko plus capsule.
