Blood Clots

Blood clots are part of the body’s healing process, but they may also pose a danger in people with blood clotting issues. At Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates in Jefferson City, and Newport, Tennessee, Pragnesh Patel, MD, and the team provide advanced testing and treatments for blood clots to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. To get help with blood clots, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What are blood clots?

Blood clots are part of your body’s healing process. When you have a cut, your blood sends over platelets that band together, forming a gel-like substance that stops the cut from bleeding. This is called coagulation.

Once your cut heals, your body breaks down and removes the blood clot. However, some people form blood clots without an injury or their body fails to fully break down the blood clot. When this occurs, the blood clot travels through the blood vessels, affecting blood flow.

Blood clots can block the flow of blood, causing life-threatening conditions like a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism (PE). When you form blood clots too easily or fail to break blood clots down, you have excessive blood clotting, also called hypercoagulation.

Excessive blood clotting is a serious health concern.

What are the risk factors for problematic blood clots?

You may develop problematic blood clots if you have an underlying health condition or an inherited genetic mutation that causes excessive blood clotting. The team at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates classifies risk factors into two categories:

Acquired blood clots

Acquired blood clots develop from some other disease or condition like peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD), or diabetes. Smoking, prolonged sitting, and plane rides also cause acquired blood clots.

Genetic blood clots

Genetic blood clots are less common than acquired blood clots. People with this condition have a genetic mutation that affects the proteins involved in blood clotting.

What happens during an evaluation for blood clots?

The specifics of your evaluation for blood clots at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates depend on your health history. The team reviews your concerns and medical and family histories. 

They perform a physical exam and may run lab work to check your blood clotting factors. They may also perform diagnostic tests to look for health issues that may lead to blood clots or conditions caused by blood clots. 

Testing may include a vascular ultrasound or echocardiography (echo).

What are the treatments for blood clots?

The team at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates customizes treatment for excessive blood clots based on the cause and related complications. Your plan may include:

• Improving management of underlying health conditions
• Smoking cessation
• Avoiding medicines that increase risk of blood clots
• Getting regular physical activity
• Taking blood thinning medications or anticoagulants
• Taking medications that dissolve blood clots
• Placing a filter that prevents blood clots from traveling
• Remove blood clots from legs and lungs using special catheters

The team schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your response to treatment and adjust your plan as needed. 

To schedule your blood clot evaluation, call Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates or book an appointment online today.