A blood clot is a gel-like mass formed by fibrin and platelets in the blood to stop open cut bleeding which can be fatal if it continues for a long time. Formation of blood clot helps to repair damaged blood vessels like artery and vein. Sometime clotting can occur in artery or vein, this may cause significant problems since blood will not be able to pass through the clot as required, the amount will decrease. When this happens, one may have the worry that the blood clot may cause high blood pressure.
This brings us to understand what is this ailment known as high blood pressure? This condition also knows as hypertension is the force blood has against the artery wall which is high enough to cause health problems like heart disease.
Risk Factors of Blood Formation On A Vein
- Smoking
- Prolonged immobility like a long car journey
- Having blood clotting disorder
- Taking certain medicines like birth control pills
- Surgery whereby casts are placed and the patient is immobile for a long time
Risk Factors of Blood Formation On A Arteries
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Having high blood pressure
- Some heart condition like atrial fibrillation
- Having a high level of cholesterol on the body
How Do You Know If You Have A Blood Clot
A different sign can be used to conclude or realize one has a blood clot, it should be noted that it is possible to have blood clot without even knowing. The symptoms are more pronounced when the size of clot is big, chances of having blood clot of legs are very minimal. Some early warning sign of blood clot in the leg, abdomen, lungs, brain, and heart include the following:
A blood clot in the arm or leg – This clot mostly occurs in the lower leg and the signs include tenderness of the affected area, pain, reddish discoloration of the affected area and welling.
A blood clot in the heart – This is the most serious of all clot has it can lead to heart attack though chances occurring in an individual are much minimal. Some of the signs blood clots in the heart include shortness of breath and frequent chest pain.
A blood clot in the abdomen – Just like other part blood clot individual with this clot may have these sign; frequent abdominal pain, and swelling in the abdomen.
A blood clot in the brain – This type of clot is known as stroke or simply blood clot of the brain. The individual with this type of clot may have these feeling; a sudden and severe headache, and having sudden difficulty speaking and seeing.
A blood clot in the lungs – Lung is one of the most vital organs in our body, its where the blood gets oxygenated. Sometime blood clot may occur in the lung some of the signs you are likely to feel; severe chest pain, abnormal breathing problems, sudden shortness of breath that is not associated with any exercise and coughing up blood among other feelings.
Having these feeling is not a surety that you have blood clots, the signs may be symptoms of other ailments. It is best adviced to visit your doctor if you suspect to be having the blood clot. Through test like a noninvasive ultrasound, your doctor will be able to determine whether you have a blood clot in the veins or arteries.
Can Blood Clot Cause High Blood Pressure?
The answer is definitely yes. We know that blood low in oxygen level is pumped from other parts of the body to the lung where its oxygen is replenished. Afterward, blood rich in oxygen is pumped by the heart to other parts of the body. This pumping of blood rich in oxygen creates pressure.
If a person has blood clots on the arteries, implying that the space in between is decreased , the arteries will not be able to withstand the blood under that pressure hence this situation the individual will be said to be having high blood pressure as the walls of his or her partially blocked arteries are receiving too much pressure on a constant basis.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure Caused by Blood Clots
It’s very unfortunate that most individuals with high blood pressure don’t show any signs even if the blood pressure reading is seriously high levels. Only a few people have some symptoms when the blood pressure has reached the life threating stage, for instance:
- Having frequent headache
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent nose bleeding
Doctor advice frequent blood pressure test on both arms. This routine test determines whether one is safe from a blood clot.
Treatment for High Blood Pressure Caused by Blood Clots
Treatment of blood pressure is easy when the cause of that specific blood clot is known. Unless the blood clot cause is known blood pressure cannot be put on a check. Depending on the location of blood clots it can be treated or sometime sympotic care may be the solution to the problem. Some of the treatment of blood clot on a different part of the body include:
Arterial Blood Clot Treatment
This clot can be managed more aggressively. sometimes surgery can be carried out to remove the clot or even if the surgery is not the possible medication can be administered by your doctor to try to dissolve the clot which in turn will lead reduction of blood pressure. Other times cardiac catheterization can be performed on an individual. This where ballon is used to open blocked blood vessel and the stent is placed to keep it open thus restoring blood flow.
Anticoagulation Medications or Blood Thinners(Warfarin)
This is a type of anticoagulation medication is used to treat blood clots at home. It works by blocking clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.This medication is prescribed immediately blood clots or deep venous thrombosis is diagnosed. Deep venous thrombosis is the most common blood clots experienced by pregnant women.
Venous Blood Clots
These clots take place in the deeps veins of the leg. It can be treated by managing pain and decreasing inflammation using medicine.
Vena Cava Filter
Some time in order to reduce the risk of blood clot in legs and arms, migrating to the vital organs like lungs forming a pulmonary embolism a cone-shaped filter is implanted in the inferior vena cava. This procedure is preferred for patients who cannot be treated with blood thinning medication.
Conclusion
High blood pressure can fatal if at all it happens in an individual far away from a medical hospital. Knowing that blood clot cause high blood pressure all measure should be put on place to ensure that blood does not clot on our veins and arteries. Routine test is always adviced to ensure you are on the safe side.
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