Blood Clot Formation and Heart Attacks
Your blood does an amazing job: it flows continuously and smoothly throughout a person’s life without pausing for a second and also ensures that it doesn’t spill over when you get an injury or cut. Blood clot formation is both beneficial and harmful.
What are blood clots and why are they formed?
Blood has a liquid called plasma and also blood cells. A type of blood cell called platelets comes together with plasma and forms a blood clot to stop bleeding when you have any cut or injury. Once the injured part of the blood vessel heals the blood clot breaks down. This role of clot formation helps in stopping bleeding and it is a lifesaving, healthy role of blood clots.
Blood clots can also form when they are not required. Unusual blood clot formation within the blood vessels can be life-threatening as it can lead to heart attacks, stroke, and other serious medical conditions.
How does the blood clotting process occur?
Blood clot formation: An injury or damage to a blood vessel triggers the release of platelets. They move to the walls of the blood vessel and stick to it and to each other forming a plug that covers the damaged part and stops the blood from leaking out.
Activated platelets release other chemicals to attract more platelets and other cells.
The blood clot grows: clotting factors are proteins in the blood that signal each other causing a chain reaction. A dissolved substance in the blood turns into thin long strands of fibrin that form a net with platelets to trap more cells and platelets. The blood clot becomes tougher and stronger.
Blood clot growth stops: some proteins kick off extra clotting factors to ensure that the clot doesn’t spread farther than required.
Blood clot slowly breaks down: the damaged part of the tissue heals gradually negating the requirement of clot anymore. Next, the tough fibrin strands dissolve and then the cells and platelets move back into the blood.
Location of Blood Clots
Blood clots can form in arteries or veins. They mostly form inside an injured blood vessel until it gets healed. Sometimes, they may form without any reason and don’t dissolve on their own. Sometimes, blood clots can form somewhere in the legs or lungs and then move to the heart or brain and cause a heart attack or brain stroke. If you have blood clots in your lungs or legs, then you should see a specialist doctor right away.
Types of Blood Clots
Venous Blood Clots
Blood clots form in the veins of the leg, groin, or arm due to a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Venous thromboembolism most commonly occurs in the veins of your legs.
This could be due to a medical health issue or when a person takes bed rest for a long time.
Arterial Blood Clots
Hardening of the artery due to the build-up of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. The walls of the artery constrict due to the formation of blood clots. Most heart attacks and strokes happen when a plaque in your heart or brain suddenly bursts.
Coronary thrombosis
When a blood clot constricts and blocks an artery in the heart, it is known as coronary thrombosis. It can potentially lead to a heart attack.
Blood clots in the brain
Blood clots can form in the blood vessels of the brain. Clots slow or cut down blood flow to some parts of the brain – which can result in headaches, seizures, and brain strokes.
Blood clots in the lungs
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to your lungs and blocks an artery.
