Blood clots are jelly-like masses of blood. They can occur in arteries or veins in your heart, brain, lungs, abdomen, arms, and legs.
You need your blood to clot when you’re cut or injured. It helps stop bleeding. Most of the time, your body breaks down the clot after your wound has healed. But sometimes, they don’t dissolve on their own. Other times, clots form inside your blood vessels for no reason. When this happens, it can lead to serious health problems.
Thrombus: Blood clots can be stationary. That means they don’t move. But they can block blood flow. Doctors call this type of clot a thrombosis.
Clots are also classified by where they form.
These form in your arteries -- the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart.
Arterial clots block blood and oxygen from reaching your vital organs. They can lead to tissue damage.
Often, they occur in your legs and feet. Sometimes, they happen in your brain, where they can lead to stroke. Or, they may form in your heart, where they can cause a heart attack.
Arterial clots can also take root in your kidneys, intestines, or eyes, though this is rare.
These form in your veins. They tend to develop slowly. That’s why you might not know you have one until it causes problems.
Superficial venous thrombosis. This is a blood clot that forms in a vein close to the surface of the skin. They don’t normally break loose and travel through the bloodstream. But they can be painful and need treatment.
DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. This is also called a “venous thrombosis.” It’s a blood clot that forms in a major vein deep in your body. It usually happens in your lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. But it can also form in other parts of your body, like your arm, brain, intestines, liver, or kidney.
A DVT is a medical emergency. See your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms.