Complications of Excessive Blood Clotting

Excessive blood clotting simply means that blood clots form too easily when they shouldn't or don't dissolve when they should. A clot is composed of protein fibers that helps seal a small cut or break in the blood vessel. Having excessive blood clotting can cause a variety of complications and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Excessive blood clotting, also called hypercoagulability or hypercoagulable disorder can either be acquired or genetic. The acquired form of excessive blood clotting occurs because another disease or factor triggers it. Examples include atherosclerosis-formation of fatty plaques in the lining of the blood vessel. Other acquired causes may include smoking, obesity or overweight and hospitalization.

In the genetic form of the condition, faulty genes cause it to occur.

The Complications of Excessive Blood Clotting

Blood clots can form in the blood vessels of the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and limbs. The clot can lessen or block the flow of blood to the organ. The limited or blocked blood flow can damage the body organs causing health problems.

Sometimes, the clot can travel and lodge into smaller blood vessels. As a result, it can block the flow of blood causing problems. A traveling blood clot is called an embolus. A clot that forms in a blood vessel but does not travel is called thrombus.

Excessive blood clotting complications may include the following:

Heart Attack. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscles is impeded or blocked because of the blood clot that formed in the heart's blood vessel. This is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away.

Stroke. A blood clot that forms anywhere in the brain's blood vessels can cause stroke. The clot blocks blood flow to the brain cells causing them to die. This could lead to long-term complications, such as lasting brain damage, paralysis and even death.

Kidney failure. A clot that forms in the blood vessels carrying blood to the kidneys can cause kidney failure. When kidney failure occurs, wastes and excess water are not eliminated. As a result, these wastes and water, build up in the body causing more health problems.

Pulmonary embolism. Blood clots that form in the deep veins in the lower limbs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) can become dislodged and travel to the lungs. The embolus can lodge in any of the smaller blood vessels of the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can damage the lungs. In addition, it can cause low blood oxygen levels. Different organs of the body need oxygen to function properly.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the leg. It can cause pain, redness and swelling in the affected leg. The clot that formed in the deep vein can break away and travel to the lungs that can cause pulmonary embolism.

Excessive blood clotting can, truly, be dangerous because of the many disorders that it can cause. Having tested for the condition is important, especially if you have a family history of the condition or have risk factors, such as smoking, obesity or overweight and diabetes.

Source:

Excessive Blood Clotting (September 2008). Retrieved February 4, 2010 from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ebc/ebc_what.html