Heart attacks and strokes are in the top five causes of death in the US, with heart attacks being number one. This post, however, is not about these two deadly events but about a common cause: clots.

Heart attacks can result from many causes, and so can strokes, but renegade blood clots are a significant, if not primary, reason for both of these killers. So this post addresses clotting and offers some ways to prevent it.

As is my usual practice, I am going to keep this simple. Clotting is a very complex and vital process – without it, we would bleed to death from a minor wound. So when I use the word “renegade,” I’m not talking about clotting that saves our lives; I’m talking about out-of-control clotting.

Blood Clot Facts:

The gateway to a heart attack. This is a picture of a blood clot forming in a vein around its one-way valve.
  1. Blood clots are usually formed around cuts and internal bleeding. The purpose of this is to stop the bleeding. This is normal.
  2. Clots can form in “Pooled” blood found (mostly) in veins when sitting or lying for extended periods.
  3. Clots can form anywhere in both arteries and veins.

Renegade Clots:

Renegade clots (my name for them) are formed by a process where red blood cells are wrapped up in a bag of fibrin – think of this as a whole bunch of sticky marbles in a knit bag. Of course, this is an oversimplification, but it will do.

Individual blood cells (RBGs) will move freely throughout your circulatory system, but the “clot bag” will not and can easily get stuck in several places. One of these is the arteries of your heart, sometimes causing a deadly heart attack – called the “Widow Maker.”

Of course, the clot can move further down into the heart, causing a less dangerous heart attack, but this is still potentially deadly. If a clot enters your right ventricle, it can get stuck in your lung, causing a pulmonary embolism, a potentially deadly condition.

If the clot enters your brain through the carotid artery, it can cause an ischemic stroke which accounts for 80% of strokes. Clots can go other places, like your liver and kidneys, but these are usually not as serious as heart attacks and strokes.

Clot Clarification:

Clots that form in the veins normally go to the right ventricle of your heart. Right ventricular clots enter your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. Clots forming in your arteries can go anywhere in your body depending on the originating point of the clot. This includes the heart and brain. For the sake of simplicity, I use the word clot in a general sense.

Heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms are all dangerous and potentially fatal

Heart Attacks and Strokes from clots:

Blood clots are a common cause of both heart attacks and strokes (especially strokes), so let’s just focus on clots from now on. Renegade clots can form anywhere but are most common in the veins in your lower body. These veins carry blood back to your upper body and ultimately to your heart (right ventricle).

Clots can “stick” anywhere, but usually, this is at a one-way valve in your calves and upper legs or in a “Y” juncture in your arteries. Depending on the size and nature of the clot, this can be anywhere in your body but is especially dangerous in your lungs, the arteries of your left ventricle, and your carotid arteries.

These sticking places can cause pulmonary embolism, heart attacks, and strokes. All of these are dangerous and life-threatening. We will get to the causes of clots and how to prevent them in our next sections. First, however, let’s look at the symptoms of a stuck or renegade clot.

Renegade Clot Symptoms:

Arms and Legs:

Pain and swelling are present – this is not an aching pain but rather a strong or even intense pain. Redness and sensitiveness to touch are also present – this might go away on its own, but it can get worse – more swelling and pain. These are indications to see a doctor or go to an emergency facility. Be safe, not sorry – these clots can move to an organ and do significant damage, as stated above.

Neck Head and Brain:

You can have swelling and pain in your neck, as described earlier. If this is in your carotid artery, you are on your way to a stroke. look for vision problems, garbled or slurred speaking, loss of control in limbs, and sagging in your face (particularly if it’s on one side). Trouble walking. Loss of feeling. Seizure. All of these are warning signs of a stroke.

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance – DO NOT try to drive yourself (or another person) to the hospital. Paramedics will get to you faster than you will get to a hospital (assuming you even make it). They will start treatment as soon as they arrive. In this situation, time is everything.

Heart and lungs:

Heart attacks cause a squeezing-crushing pain in your chest, a pain in your left arm, sweating profusely, and shortness of breath. Call 911, period. A pulmonary embolism in your lungs causes difficulty breathing and maybe coughing up blood. Again, call 911.

Other Organs:

Look for pain and sometimes numbness. Feeling sick and vomiting. Swelling, or a feeling of fullness in any area, especially if accompanied by pain and nausea. Seek emergency care – clots can move and cause a heart attack or stroke. They can also dissolve on their own – even so, get checked out. Be safe, not sorry.

Clot Risks:

“Blood clots can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors, such as surgery, hospitalization, pregnancy, cancer, and some types of cancer treatments, can increase risks. In addition, a family history of blood clots can increase a person’s risk. The chance of a blood clot increases when you have more risk factors.”

The quote is from here CDC. This is an extremely thorough article, with lots of information on clotting. It is well worth your time to read it. Here is another excellent article: stoptheclot.

The above links from the CDC are very comprehensive, and I recommend reading them. Here is another reading recommendation that gives excellent information on clots and provides a different and unique point of view: the clot thickens. This is a little tough to read, but I think most of my OMY friends will get the main points.

The more you know about clots, the better off you are. Ironically, clots are very preventable. Take action now to prevent the possibility of getting a dangerous blood clot. Be safe, don’t be sorry.

So What Can You Do Right Now?

Read the materials I have suggested above – be informed.

If you smoke, stop. Period. Same with snuff and other forms of tobacco.

If you’re overweight, lose it. Here’s help: HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST

Monitor your blood pressure and get it in line: BLOOD PRESSURE – FIND YOUR BASELINE

Start an exercise program and become active: BEGINNER WORKOUT TRIAD FOR OMYS

Consume alcohol in moderation.

IMPORTANT: If, after reading the CDC’s article given above, you think you have any clotting risks, see your health care provider for an assessment and possible medications. Clots are a gateway to heart attacks, strokes, and other emergencies. Take action now, and keep them from starting up in the first place.

Also, Dr. Kendrick’s book The Clot Thickens has some excellent advice on behavioral changes and supplements as well. I highly recommend it. Note: other than reading his book, I have no connection with Dr. Kendrick, and I don’t make any money if you buy his book.

OMY1

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