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What are blood clots? -

A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semi-solid state. It actually serves a necessary process that prevents us from losing too much blood in certain instances, such as when we're injured or cut.

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When are they dangerous? -

Blood clots form in veins when certain elements (i.e. platelets) in the blood thicken and stick to each other. The danger comes when this semi-solid mass doesn't dissolve on its own.

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How common is it? -

About 100,000 people usually develop blood clots every month in the EU, according to an article published in medical journal BMJ in April 2021. According to the CDC, an estimated 900,000 Americans are affected each year, resulting in nearly 100,000 annual deaths.

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Who can be affected? - Anyone can be affected by a blood clot regardless of age or gender, but certain risk factors like pregnancy, surgery, family history, being over 65 years old, obesity, birth control, or cancer treatments can increase your chances of developing one.

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Where do they usually develop? -

A blood clot in the deep vein (also known as a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) typically occurs in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm.

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What makes them so dangerous? -

If a DVT is left untreated, a part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a blockage called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which prevents blood from reaching the lungs and can thus be deadly.

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Common symptoms of a DVT -

A DVT can occur without any symptoms, but the most common signs and symptoms include a swelling of the affected limb, random pain or tenderness, and skin that is warm to the touch, red, or discolored. You should contact a doctor immediately, as this blood clot can lead to serious illness or disability.

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Common symptoms of a PE -

If the blood clot has reached your lungs, the most common symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing (sometimes with blood), a fast or irregular heartbeat, and fainting spells. It’s crucial to seek medical treatment immediately.

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Blood clots can cause strokes -

Not many people know that a stroke is often caused by a blood clot in the brain. The poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death, resulting in sudden and severe headaches and difficulty speaking or seeing.

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Pregnant women should take special care - Pregnant women are five times more likely to experience a blood clot compared with women who are not pregnant, according to the CDC. A DVT can also form during childbirth and up to three months after giving birth.

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How to treat a blood clot -

If you have been diagnosed with a blood clot, your doctor may give you medicine to treat it. This type of medicine is called a blood thinner (also anticoagulant). It can be injected or ingested orally.

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How to prevent a blood clot -

Sitting for a long time can increase your chances of developing a blood clot, which is why traveling is the source of so many reported cases. The key is to move around to increase blood flow.

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Move every two to three hours -

Get up and walk around every two to three hours if you can. If not, you can do seated leg stretches like keeping your heels down and raising your toes, or vice versa, or tightening and releasing your leg muscles.

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Don’t cross your legs -

The pressure cuts off circulation to a degree and can increase the likelihood of developing blood clots, especially since DVTs tend to form in the legs.

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Wear loose-fitting pants, socks, or stockings -

Especially if you or your family have a history of blood clots, you'll want to avoid wearing tight clothing that constricts the waist or legs when you know you’ll be sitting for a while.

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Raise your legs above your heart -

Raising your legs six inches above your heart can make the natural flow of blood much easier since your veins don’t have to flow against gravity. Use a soft surface beneath your legs, and do it daily!

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Get on the floor -

You can also lie on the floor and slide your butt all the way to the wall, and raise your legs to lie against the wall, keeping them straight. This is a practice often used in yoga to improve blood flow. 

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Raise the bottom of your bed -

A simple rise of four to six inches (10-15 cm), using blocks or books, can give the body time to heal at night, especially from a day full of sitting. It can fight leg swelling, increase circulation, and thus prevent blood clots.

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Eat less salt -

High salt consumption can lead to reduced function of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of blood vessels. Endothelial cells are critical in processes including blood clotting and immune function.

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Wine! -

In moderation, a glass of red wine helps keep blood platelets from sticking together thanks to the powerful antioxidants (called polyphenols) found in purple grapes, suggests a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.

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Avoid too much alcohol -

On the flip side, too much alcohol can make you dehydrated and can increase your risk of developing blood clots.

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Cook with garlic -

This pungent aromatic can reportedly break up potentially harmful clusters of platelets in the bloodstream, according to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Crush the cloves to release the beneficial compounds before preparing them to your taste.

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Limit animal fats -

If it's bad for your cardiovascular health, it's also increasing your chance of blood clots. Stay away from saturated fats in full-fat dairy and fatty meats, and from all types of sugar since they cause inflammation.

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Avoid smoking -

Smoking directly affects the coagulation properties of your blood and thus increases the risk of the blood platelets clumping together. Smoking also damages the lining of the blood vessels, which can cause clots to form.

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Avoid unhealthy trans fats -

Foods that in excess cause plaque buildup in blood vessels also thereby increase the risk of developing blood clots. Stay away from unhealthy trans fats, and there are a ton of other health benefits you’ll get in return!

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Use virgin olive oil instead -

A 2019 National Institutes of Health study found that consuming olive oil at least once a week reduced platelet activity in nonsmoking obese adults. An earlier study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that antioxidants called phenols in virgin olive oil also helped prevent blood clots.

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Don’t self-diagnose -

If you know the most common symptoms and risk factors, you can put yourself in the best position to know when to seek an expert opinion.

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As for the vaccine? -

While the risks are relatively low regarding blood clots for the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and they’re still highly effective, it’s important to still be empathetic to those worried about blood clots. At least it's stirring up awareness about this medical condition! 

Sources: (CDC) (Global News) (BMJ) (NHS) (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) (Everyday Health)

See also: How depression and period pain are connected

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