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profligate coagulation , also calledcoagulation , is a vital process the organic structure uses after an injury to stop bleeding and help foreclose infection . But sometimes , blood coagulum mold inside an artery or mineral vein , where they can cause damage or even lead to dying .

So what causes origin coagulum ? And what make water them more potential to mould ?

An electron micrograph showing disc-shaped red blood cells tangled up in a white fibrous matrix

Dangerous blood clots can form when there are too many “coagulation factors” in the blood.

A blood line coagulum can work when a blood watercraft is wound . This kicks off a string of effect that cause aprotein called thrombin to accumulatenearby . The thrombin then activates morsel of cell called platelets in the blood , causing them to form a plug that cover the injury land site .

These platelets also bond factor I , another bloodborne protein . Thrombin converts this fibrinogen into a knotty protein call fibrin , which forms a mesh that bridges the blood platelet to reinforce the plug . Once the combat injury has healed , these clot dismiss .

Related : What ’s the rare line character ?

A 3D rendering of red blood cells traveling through a narrow vein or artery

Certain conditions, including genetic diseases, cancer and some viral infections, can increase the risk of blood clots.

In some fount , though , blood clot can form when there is n’t an acute injury . This happens when factors in the profligate make it more probable to clot ; blood vessel linings are damaged over time by disease ; or blood stream is restricted , for model , by plaque buildup caused bycoronary arteria disease .

Medically know as athrombus , a rakehell coagulum that forms in one of these ways may outride in the blood watercraft without dissolve and block the musical passage of line . This can make tissue damage if the clot cut off blood flow completely . If thrombi frame in the heart , they can lead to heart attack . If they shape in the mastermind , they cancause stroke .

If some or all of the coagulum breaks idle from its original site , it is called anembolus . Broadly , embolus are masses that move through the bloodstream and can get stuck if they gain a vessel that ’s too narrow .

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Such roving coagulum are specially grave because they can travel to any part of the body . In a experimental condition calleddeep vein thrombosis(DVT ) , a clot form in a large vein , often in the legs , and can break away off and travel to the lungs . That is then visit apulmonary embolism , which is a life - threatening medical emergency .

" I can not stress how authoritative it is to make out the symptoms of a line clot,“Dr . Rachel Rosovsky , director of thrombosis research in the Division of Hematology at Massachusetts General Hospital , told Live Science . " If you have a DVT , it could be leg pain , red or swelling . For a pulmonary intercalation , it could be dresser painful sensation , pressure , abruptness of breath or a dissipated heart pace . "

It ’s important not to ignore these symptom , especially if you are at risk of a stemma coagulum , because a successful retrieval oftendepends on quick treatment .

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Some disease make blood more probable to clot . There aregenetic conditionsthat increase the levels of clotting proteins in the lineage ; reduce the layer of proteins that preclude or break up clots ; or otherwise impair those proteins ' functions .

Other weather condition — admit cancer , autoimmune diseases , high blood pressureandinfections like COVID-19 — may also project off the dead body ’s soft correspondence of coagulation factors . In COVID-19 , a combination ofexcessive inflammationandrogue antibodiesare thought to increase the blood ’s propensity to curdle .

Related : If bloodline is red , why do vein take care blueish ?

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Bothpregnancyand hormonal discourse , such assome shape of birthing controland hormone replacement therapy , are tied to an increase endangerment of blood clots . Research suggests thatanxiety and depression may boost the risk of infection of DVTby increasing tension - associate nervous activity tied to coagulum organisation .

life style factors also contribute to a person ’s risk of blood clot . Smoking raises the risk byincreasing lighting in the bodyand make platelets more reactive . Obesity is also tied to a gamey hazard of blood clots ; this may be partly because indicate molecules made by productive cells canboost levels of clotting factorsand make platelets stickier .

By limiting a person ’s mobility , long - haul travel , injuries such as bone cracking , and major surgeries can all temporarily increase the endangerment of dangerous clots . That ’s because less front intend less rakehell flow , more inflammation andmore energizing of clotting factorsin response to that inflammation .

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Some of these risk constituent can be mitigated , though .

— How much blood is in the human trunk ?

— In rare case , man develop painful deep nervure blood clots come after browned hermit spider bite

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— bloodline clot risk linked to taking common painkillers alongside certain hormonal parturition ascendancy

" If you sit down at a desk all solar day , get up and take the air around every hour , " Rosovsky order , supply that sit down traveler should wear compression stockings ortake regular movement breaksduring their journey . She also recommended that , in general , people stay well hydrous , maintain a healthy weight , engage in physical activity and forfend smoking .

" justly now , someone expire of a blood clot every six minutes , " Rosovsky said . As many as100,000 die of line clotseach year in the U.S. Rosovsky stressed that it ’s important to have a go at it your risk factors and how to palliate them , but also , to be cognizant of the signs and symptom of blood clots and assay medical attention if you experience them .

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This clause is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer aesculapian advice .

Ever wonder whysome multitude ramp up muscle more easily than othersorwhy freckles come out in the sun ? Send us your doubtfulness about how the human body work tocommunity@livescience.comwith the subject line " Health Desk Q , " and you may see your inquiry resolve on the website !

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