A blood clot treatment is necessary to keep your body functioning the right way. Developing a blood clot can result in serious health problems. A clot anywhere in the body can break off and travel to the lungs. It can then cause shortness of breath and, in some cases, even sudden death. A blood clot treatment depends on the severity and location of the clot. Here are the three common blood clot treatments that you can discuss with your doctor.
A doctor may prescribe compression stockings to people who are at risk of developing blood clots in the legs. These stockings help increase the flow of blood out of the legs and then divert it back to the heart. Wearing them reduces swelling and pain in the arms and legs due to damaged blood vessels there. The doctor will recommend what length of stockings the patient must wear.
Patients who might or already have a blood clot may need a prescription medication. This will depend on factors such as the cause of the clot and the person’s general health. Working with the doctor can determine which medication can help the most. Here are some of them:
These can reduce the thickness of the platelets. These tiny components of the blood form the central part of a blood clot. Blocking the platelets’ ability to form clusters can prevent blood from clotting. Getting this type of blood clot treatment can prevent blood clot formation in the arteries.
They stop at least one of the clotting factors. Warfarin is the only oral anticoagulant. Once the patient starts taking it, the dosage must stabilize in weeks. The doctor will order blood tests to ensure the effectiveness of the medication. This can also help if the doctor needs to readjust the dosage.
Heparin is an intravenous anticoagulant. It often works within seconds. Hospitalized patients can get this medication. The doctor can adjust the dosage by keeping an eye on the PTT or partial thromboplastin time blood test. PTT tells how much clotting factors have been blocked.
Low molecular weight heparin contains purified products of heparin. These are injectable anticoagulants. Injecting it does not need PTT blood tests. A patient can get it as an outpatient treatment.
Thrombolytic drugs are also known as clot busters. These are intravenous medications that dissolve target blood clots that are starting to form. Thrombolytic drugs are limited to patients who are within the first few hours of a stroke or heart attack. They aim to re-open the clogged artery. This can then prevent permanent tissue damage.
Surgery in the legs or arms can remove the clots. This blood clot treatment is an important procedure because it can prevent a clot from reaching the lungs, which can then cause a fatal pulmonary embolism.
A blood clot may form and affect your general health. Seeing your doctor right away is important if you think you have a clot. Once your doctor confirms it, you will need to follow your blood clot treatment care plan. Working with your doctor can prevent dangerous clotting complications.
Get more information about Vascular & Interventional Specialists of Orange County in Orange at https://visoc.org.
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