A blood clot or thrombus forms when blood flows too slowly through the blood vessels, or when the body produces an excess of clotting factors. Peripheral blood clots occur in any blood vessels except those that serve the heart, brain or lungs. The sticky clots clog blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood through them and damaging blood vessels and the tissues they supply. Although sometimes asymptomatic, peripheral blood clots can have severe and even life-threatening consequences.
Kidney Problems
A blood clot in a blood vessel supplying the kidney can compromise the body’s ability to filter blood and remove waste from the body. As kidneys malfunction, dangerous levels of metabolites build and blood pressure increases, causing a host of complications, including increased risk of heart attack.
Pregnancy Problems
The Mayo Clinic says pregnancy puts added pressure on the veins in the pelvis and legs, causing sluggish circulation and increasing the risk for clots. Because the health of the fetus is entirely dependent on maternal blood flow, blood clots during pregnancy can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Blood clots can also lead to pre-eclampsia, a dangerously high and potentially fatal increase in the mother’s blood pressure.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Blood clots that lurk in veins deep inside an arm, leg or neck are called deep vein thrombosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, deep vein thromboses most often occur in the legs. These clots can cause redness, pain and swelling of the affected limb. The site can feel warm to the touch. The Mayo Clinic describes the pain of DVT in the leg as a cramping that can start in the calf, similar to the feeling of a charley horse. Most ominously, a deep vein thrombosis can produce no symptoms at all, so you're totally unaware of the danger.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Blood clots in the periphery, especially DVTs, can break loose and travel through the veins and arteries. This can wreak havoc on the body with potentially fatal results. A blood clot that travels to the lungs and lodges there can cause a pulmonary embolism or PE. Signs of a pulmonary embolism include sudden, inexplicable shortness of breath, chest pain, anxiety and coughing up blood. A PE is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Post-Phlebitic Syndrome
Deep vein thrombosis can cause lasting damage to the blood vessels even after the clot dissolves, permanently compromising blood flow to the site of the former clot. Known as post-phlebitic syndrome or post-thrombotic syndrome, this disorder causes swelling or edema of the affected limb, along with pain and discoloration of the skin.
