What is thrombosis

The symptoms of thrombosis may look like other blood disorders or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you a physical exam. Other tests may include:. Thrombosis can block the blood flow in both veins and arteries. Complications depend on where the thrombosis is located. The most serious problems include stroke, heart attack, and serious breathing problems. Health Home Conditions and Diseases.

There are 2 main types of thrombosis: Venous thrombosis is when the blood clot blocks a vein. Veins carry blood from the body back into the heart. Arterial thrombosis is when the blood clot blocks an artery. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body. What causes thrombosis? Venous thrombosis may be caused by: Disease or injury to the leg veins Not being able to move around immobility for any reason A broken bone fracture Certain medicines Obesity Inherited disorders, or a greater likelihood of having a certain disorder based on your genes Autoimmune disorders that make it more likely your blood will clot Medicines that increase your risk of clotting such as certain birth control medicines Arterial thrombosis may be caused by a hardening of the arteries, called arteriosclerosis.

Try raising and lowering your heels while keeping your toes on the floor, then raising your toes with your heels on the floor. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Blood clot in leg vein Open pop-up dialog box Close. Blood clot in leg vein A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area.

Pulmonary embolism Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Venous thromboembolism. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Sept. Bauer KA, et al. View the full infographic.

Know the Signs. Know your Risk. Seek Care. Downloadable slideshow on DVT. How a clot affects the body depends on the type and location of the clot: A blood clot in a deep vein of the leg, pelvis, and sometimes arm, is called deep vein thrombosis DVT. This type of blood clot does not cause heart attack or stroke. A blood clot in an artery, usually in the heart or brain, is called arterial thrombosis. This type of blood clot can cause heart attack or stroke. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. This may be necessary in cases of repeated unexplained blood clots.

The procedure can involve directly accessing and unblocking an affected artery. In other cases, the surgeon will divert blood flow or completely bypass the blocked artery.

Inferior vena cava IVC filters are small mesh devices that a surgeon can put in the inferior vena cava a large vein , usually under local anesthetic. The IVC filter traps fragments of the blood clot and prevents them from reaching the heart and lungs. An IVC filter can be permanent, and doctors typically combine this treatment with anticoagulation medication therapy where possible.

Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, have a misleading name; they do not give the blood a thinner consistency. When taking anticoagulant medications, a person should visit a specialized anticoagulant management service instead of a primary care physician.

If anticoagulants are not effective, or if a person does not tolerate them well, a doctor will consider other treatment options. Doctors may recommend that people wear compression stockings while taking anticoagulant therapy for DVT. As well as wearing compression stockings, people should try to keep the affected leg elevated above hip level during the night. This can relieve pressure in the veins, improve blood circulation, and help prevent complications.

Once a doctor has prescribed compression stockings, they will usually recommend more frequent walking to stimulate blood circulation. It is not always possible to prevent a thrombus. However, people can take steps to reduce their risk. It is particularly important for a person to move around as much as possible after a surgical procedure or during long distance travel. Those with a higher risk of developing a blood clot may also require anticoagulant therapy alongside medications to reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

Here, learn more about deep vein thrombosis. Successful treatment is possible — even for potentially fatal medical emergencies due to thrombosis — if a person gets appropriate treatment at the right time.