How To Tell If It's A Blood Clot: Signs, Symptoms And More

Lungs

When a blood clot travels to the lungs, doctors refer to it as a pulmonary embolism. Most clots that reach the lungs are small and non-life threatening. With that said, smaller clots can still cause substantial damage to the lungs. If the clot is large, it can stifle proper blood flow and become deadly, so quick treatment is essential. One of the most common symptoms to look for is a sudden shortness of breath; if an individual is short of breath with lack of physical movement, he or she may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism. This condition can cause the patient to experience chest pain, breathing problems and heart palpitations. In some cases, a pulmonary embolism causes one to cough up blood as well.

Brain

The quicker a patient realizes they have a blood clot in their brain, the quicker they can seek treatment. Some of these symptoms may seem mundane, but taking them lightly is creating a serious risk. Reoccurring headaches that are felt on the side of the head and happen for no apparent reason are an early warning sign of a blood clot. Since these clots interrupt blood flow, speech issues such as slurred and stuttered speech are another common symptom. It is also common for victims to experience blurred or double vision. Those who have severe blood clotting issues may experience reoccurring seizures. In other cases, a blood clot in the brain can even lead to a loss of both gross and fine motor skills.