5 Blood Clot Symptoms That Are Easy To Miss—Spotting Them Early Could Save Your Life
Commercial astronaut Kellie Gerardi's scary clot was caught because she knew her risk factors
Some health symptoms are so subtle, you might brush them off as nothing. But they could actually be early warning signs of something serious like a blood clot. The good news? Knowing what to watch for—and common risk factors—puts you in control. Case in point: Bioastronautics researcher Kellie Gerardi, who recently opened up about her experience on social media, had a potentially life-threatening large blood clot that flew under the radar without traditional symptoms. It was only discovered when she requested extra testing since she knew she was at risk for clots. We spoke with an expert to learn the sneaky signs you shouldn’t ignore and simple steps to protect yourself.
What is a blood clot?
“A blood clot is a gel-like lump that forms when platelets, proteins and blood cells stick together,” explains Lily Johnston, MD, MPH, Vascular Surgeon at Scripps Memorial Hospital and Founder & CEO of CorSight Health. “Your body has two separate blood vessel systems—arteries (carrying oxygen-rich blood away from your heart) and veins (returning used blood back)—and they develop clots for completely different reasons.” One of the most common are venous clots, which include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the lungs.
Why is it so important to catch symptoms of a blood clot early? “A clot in a deep leg vein can break off and travel to your lungs, causing a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism,” or a blockage of blood flow to the lungs, says Dr. Johnston.
Woman's World Answers
5 blood clot symptoms you should never ignore
Sometimes, a blood clot can form seemingly without warning, as happened to Gerardi. In a recent Instagram post, she shared that despite having “no symptoms to indicate, only risk factors,” doctors discovered she had a type of deep vein thrombosis blood (DVT), or blood clot, while pregnant after she went in complaining of foot pain and asked for additional scans just to be safe. In fact, it was a “very large” blood clot (greater than 5 cm) in her posterior tibial vein in her leg—serious enough to send her straight to the ER.
[The posterior tibial vein] is “one of the deep veins running along the inside muscles of your lower leg, carrying blood back toward your heart,” says Dr. Johnston. She notes that doctors may have missed Gerardi’s situation because leg swelling is common during pregnancy.
Despite Gerardi’s frightening experience, Dr. Johnston says her medical team was fortunate to catch it and treat it with blood thinning medication before it could get worse. But Gerardi’s case is not uncommon—you could have a blood clot and not even know it. Here are the sneaky signs to watch for and why they happen:
Swelling in one leg
“When a clot blocks a vein, blood can’t drain properly and backs up, causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissue,” says Dr. Johnston. “It’s usually one-sided—both legs swelling is rarely a clot.”
Calf tenderness or pain
“The trapped blood creates pressure against tissue and nerves, often feeling like a deep ache or cramp that doesn’t go away,” says Dr. Johnston.
Redness and warmth over a vein
“Your body sends inflammatory signals to the area, causing localized warmth and skin discoloration,” says Dr. Johnston.
Chest pain or shortness of breath
“This could mean a clot has traveled to your lungs—a pulmonary embolism,” says Dr. Johnston. “This is a medical emergency.”
Coughing up blood or an unexplained cough
“When part of your lung can’t get blood flow due to a clot, it can cause irritation, coughing or bleeding into the airways,” says Dr. Johnston.
7 risk factors for blood clots
While anyone can develop blood clots, certain factors increase your odds. And knowing your individual risk factors can help you understand when to ask for additional testing, as Gerardi did. Dr. Johnston says these risks include:
- Pregnancy: “Hormonal changes plus pressure on leg veins from the growing uterus,” says Dr. Johnston.
- Family history: “You may have inherited a clotting disorder,” says Dr. Johnston.
- Immobility: “Blood pools when you’re not moving,” says Dr. Johnston, which is why clots can form after sitting for a long time, such as during plane travel.
- Smoking: “[Smoking] damages blood vessel walls,” says Dr. Johnston. (Get tips to quit smoking here.)
- Obesity: “[Obesity] increases vein pressure and inflammation,” says Dr. Johnston.
- Hormonal medications: : “Many birth control pills and other hormone-based medications can increase clotting factors in your blood,” says Dr. Johnston.
- Cancer: “People with active cancer have significantly higher clot risk,” says Dr. Johnston.
3 ways to reduce your blood clot risk
If you’re concerned about blood clots, the good news is there are simple at-home steps you can take to reduce your risk. Here’s what helps:
Be active
“Calf muscle contractions push blood back toward your heart,” Dr. Johnstone explains. “Get up every one to two hours during work or travel” to boost your circulation and help prevent blood clots.
Manage your risk factors
“Maintaining an active, healthful lifestyle can significantly lower your risk of blood clots,” says Dr. Johnston. “Managing your weight, avoiding smoking and getting in regular exercise all help protect your blood vessels and promote better circulation.”
Keep hydrated
Sounds simple, but it works. Drinking more water (find out how much water you really need) can help ward off clots in the veins. Why? “Dehydration thickens blood and increases clotting risk,” says Dr. Johnston.
What women over 50 should know about blood clots
“Clot risk increases with age, so pay attention to one-sided leg swelling or sudden shortness of breath,” says Dr. Johnston. “If you notice any unusual symptoms or have health concerns, talk openly with your doctor about the possibility of blood clots. You can also consult a vascular surgeon, who specializes in vein and artery health, for expert guidance and care or visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s website.”
Lowering your risk starts with awareness. By knowing the symptoms of blood clots and taking small preventive steps today, you’re already taking smart steps toward protecting yourself.
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