What are the signs and symptoms of a blood clot?
Common signs of a DVT include: • Pain in the calf or leg muscle • Swelling • Tenderness • Discoloration • Prominent veins Common symptoms of a pulmonary embolus include: • Coughing up blood • Shortness of breath • Chest pain Less common symptoms may include pain in the back, shoulder or upper abdomen; dizziness; fainting; painful respiration; new onset of wheezing; and any new heart arrhythmia. An embolus may also travel to the heart, brain, or eye. An embolus in the brain can cause a stroke to occur. An embolus blocking an artery in the heart can cause a heart attack. An embolus may cause sudden blindness in one eye. An embolus that blocks an artery is a life- threatening condition. For this reason, symptoms of a DVT or an embolus require immediate care.
