Types Of Blood Clots

There are different types of blood clots depending on how they perform their function in the body. The blood flows throughout the body and is in constant motion for the survival of the different cells and organs in the body. The heart pumps the blood as it passes through the arteries to other parts of the body. It is then returned to the heart through the veins by the contraction of muscles.

The different types of blood clots enable the body restore injured blood vessels in the body. Blood is made of:

* White blood cells, which is responsible for fighting infection in the body

* Red blood cells, which contains hemoglobin and removes carbon dioxide and transports oxygen to the cells.

* Blood plasma, which is made of proteins, chemicals, and fluids that are very important for the proper functioning of the body.

There are complex mechanisms that are found in the bloodstream to form clots that are needed for the body. When the walls of the blood vessels are dented, platelets are sent to the affected part to stop the blood flow. The platelet sends chemicals that begin the clotting process using sets of clothing substances produced in the body.

Another name used in describing the process of blood clotting is what is known as thrombus. While thrombus is very helpful in the clotting and repair of body tissues, there are certain situations where they occur when they are not necessarily required. This is when it results to negative consequences.

Conditions that results to different types of blood clots

Blood clots may not only repair the body tissues but equally result to life threatening conditions. Such life threatening situations require proper diagnosis of any signs or symptoms. The following are the several conditions that may occur as a result of the different types of blood clots.

Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis

Pulmonary embolism can result from a blood clot known as deep venous thrombosis. This type of blood clot can occur in the vein and block the flow of blood from the heart. This will lead to the reverse of blood flow through the vein to the lung, thereby causing a blockage and preventing the lung from functioning properly. These types of blood clots should be treated with urgency as it can lead to other complication and death.

Arterial thrombus

These types of blood clots completely stop blood flow from the heart to various tissues in the body, which deprives cells of nutrients and oxygen. This can result to the death of tissues. Arterial thrombus is the major cause of problems like:

* Peripheral vascular disease (when it occurs at the leg arteries)

* Stroke (occurring in the arteries in the brain)

* Heart attack (when they occur in the coronary arteries that send blood to the heart)

Atrial fibrillation

These types of blood clots usually occur at the upper part of the heart or along the atrium walls. It may equally lead to a stroke when it embolize and cause blockage to blood flow to the artery. It may equally lead to tissue death (necrosis), insufficient supply of blood (ischemia), or lining of the bowel (mesentery).