A blood clot is a hard clump of blood that develops within the blood vessels. If a blood clot detaches from the blood vessel wall, it can flow along the bloodstream into a patient's heart. A blood clot that enters the heart can interfere with the normal flow of blood to this cardiac muscle, leading to a heart attack. The symptoms of blood clots in the heart mimic the symptoms of a heart attack and require immediate, emergency medical attention.
Chest or Limb Pain
Patients who develop blood clots in the heart can experience sudden, severe chest or limb pain as a symptom of this condition, explain medical professionals with The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Chest or limb pain is typically constant and persists until a patient receives appropriate medical care. Pain sensations can feel sharp, tight or crushing and may interfere with a patient's ability to move about normally.
Shortness of Breath
A blood clot within the heart can interfere with the normal flow of oxygen through a patient's blood. Consequently, a patient who develops a blood clot in the heart can experience severe difficulty breathing, such as shortness of breath, warn health experts with the World Heart Federation. Breathing complications may cause affected patients to wheeze or gasp for air. Breathing difficulties can be compounded by chest pain as deep inhalation may exacerbate chest pain symptoms.
Lightheadness, Nausea or Fainting
Inadequate blood flow to the heart due to a blood clot prevents the body's organs from receiving necessary oxygen, blood and nutrients. Affected patients can experience sudden sensations of lightheadedness or dizziness, which may cause certain patients to collapse or faint, explain medical experts with the Texas Heart Institute. Episodes of dizziness may cause patients to appear unstable while standing or walking and can contribute to nausea or upset stomach symptoms. Patients who develop these symptoms of a blood clot in the heart in conjunction with chest or upper body pain require immediate medical attention. Without prompt treatment, portions of the heart muscle can begin to die due to lack of blood.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Symptoms and Diagnosis of Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders
- World Heart Federation: Stroke and Blood Clots
- National Heart Lung Blood Institute: Excessive Blood Clotting - Signs and Symptoms
- Texas Heart Institute: Heart Attack
- Texas Heart Institute: Peripheral Vascular Disease
