Comprehensive Care for Blood Clots

Clumps of blood cells and other clotting components are called blood clots. Blood clots are helpful when they stop blood flow from a wound. However, when they form inside blood vessels, they can be dangerous. Blood clots in the vessels can stop blood supply to organs and tissues when they grow, break away, and clog the vessel. 

Blood clots are a medical emergency. They can causes stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and other life-threatening health problems. Emergency treatment may be necessary if you have a blood clot.

If you need care for a blood clot in the Bay Area, you can trust the Dignity Health emergency care team to treat you with compassion and respect.

Blood Clots: What Increases Your Risk?

Certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing blood clots, including: 

  • Being 65 years or older
  • Being obese
  • Being bedridden or sedentary
  • Having a family history of blood clots 
  • Having heart disease, recent surgery, varicose veins, or problems with blood clots in the past
  • Taking birth control or other hormones

Blood Clot Symptoms

The part of the body determines the signs and symptoms of blood clots:

  • Abdominal blood clots cause vomiting, severe belly pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • Brain blood clots cause stroke symptoms, including speech problems, weakness and vision changes.
  • Heart blood clots cause heart attack symptoms, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sweating.
  • Leg blood clots cause symptoms ranging from numbness and a bluish discoloration to mild cramping and tenderness.
  • Lung blood clots cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough.

Expert Blood Clot Treatment at Dignity Health 

Your blood clot treatment plan is guided by the location of the clot. If the clot is in an artery, emergency treatment is often required. Sometimes a catheter-based procedure to break up or remove the clot is necessary. Other times, clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) can be used.

For venous clots, your Dignity Health doctor may prescribe blood thinners (anticoagulants) to help blood flow past the clot and prevent the clot from growing. To prevent the clot from entering your heart or lungs, you may need a procedure to place a filter the large vein (vena cava) that carries blood to your heart. 

Whether you’re concerned about your risk or are showing signs of a blood clot in the Bay Area, trust Dignity Health to quickly provide the care you need. 

Dignity Health provides emergency care for blood clots in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.