Blood Clots: Causes, Warning Signs, and How to Cut Your Risk

Blood clots can happen to anyone, and they don’t always announce themselves. A clot in a leg vein might feel like a dull ache; a clot that travels to the lungs can cause sudden shortness of breath and become life-threatening. Knowing the common causes and simple prevention steps can make a big difference.

Common causes and warning signs

Clots form when blood changes from a liquid to a gel. That’s useful when you cut yourself, but inside veins it becomes a problem. Major causes include long immobility (long flights, bed rest after surgery), recent injury or surgery, cancer, pregnancy, certain birth control pills or hormone therapy, obesity, smoking, and genetic clotting disorders. Age and chronic illness raise risk too.

Watch for these signs: swelling, warmth, redness, or pain in one leg (often the calf) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). For a pulmonary embolism — when a clot reaches the lungs — symptoms can be sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that may get worse when you breathe, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, or coughing up blood. If you notice these, get urgent medical help.

Prevention and treatment you can use

Prevention starts with motion. On long trips, stand and walk every hour, flex your ankles, and drink water. After surgery, follow your doctor’s advice about moving early and using compression stockings. If you have known risk factors, your healthcare team might prescribe blood thinners (anticoagulants) like warfarin, DOACs, or low-molecular-weight heparin such as enoxaparin. These medicines lower clot risk but require proper dosing and medical supervision.

Don’t stop or start prescription meds without talking to your clinician. Some drugs and supplements change how anticoagulants work. If you’re prescribed an anticoagulant, ask about blood tests, bleeding risks, and what to do if you bruise or have trauma. For pregnant people, options differ — clinicians usually choose safer regimens for pregnancy.

Simple lifestyle moves help a lot: stay active, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. If you fly or sit for long hours, wear loose clothing, hydrate, and consider compression socks if you’re at higher risk.

Want deeper reading? Our site has practical guides on buying and using enoxaparin safely, an article about embolism risks in athletes, and pieces on how injuries affect long-term health. Browse those if you’re researching prevention, treatments, or need safe medication advice.

If you suspect a clot, don’t wait. Quick evaluation and treatment save lives and reduce complications. If you’re planning surgery, travel, or starting a new medication, talk with your doctor about your clot risk — a short conversation now can prevent a serious event later.