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From blood clots to pulmonary embolism: How to protect yourself from deadly dangers?
In modern medicine, thrombosis and embolism have become a health problem worthy of concern. The formation of blood clots can lead to blockage within blood vessels, which may result from a variety of causes, including trauma, disease, and lifestyle habits. Over time, these clots can break off, form emboli, and travel through the circulation, which can eventually lead to dangerous pulmonary embolisms. Therefore, knowing how to protect yourself from these deadly dangers becomes a concern for everyone.
An embolism is the accumulation of a blocking material (emboli) in a blood vessel, which may affect distant parts of the body.
What are thrombosis and embolism?
To understand thrombosis and embolism, we first need to understand their definitions. Thrombus (Thrombus) is formed by blood coagulation in blood vessels. Under normal circumstances, its formation is a means for the body to repair itself. However, when a blood clot forms abnormally or is no longer needed, it becomes a potentially dangerous substance. When a blood clot breaks off and travels with the bloodstream, it becomes an embolus, which may cause a new blood vessel to become blocked.
When emboli accumulate in blood vessels in the lungs, they can cause pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition.
Types of embolism
According to the formation and location of the embolus, embolism can be divided into many types, mainly including:
- Arterial embolism: Can cause death of tissue anywhere in the body, usually due to blockage of blood flow.
- Venous embolism: The most common is pulmonary embolism, which originates from a blood clot in a deep vein that travels with blood into the lungs.
- Paradoxical embolism: Occurs in cases of heart defects where an emboli in a vein may travel across the heart and into the arterial system.
Causes of arterial embolism
There are many causes of arterial embolism, most of which can be traced to thrombosis in the heart. For patients with atrial fibrillation, blood clots formed due to irregular heart beating may flow into the brain and cause a stroke. In addition, heart valve problems are a potential risk for arterial embolism.
Approximately 30% of patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction will develop thrombus in the left ventricle, further leading to severe embolism risk.
Risk of venous thrombosis
Venous embolism usually begins in the deep veins of the lower limbs and may eventually lead to pulmonary embolism. In this case, the embolus will follow the blood flow into the right ventricle and then reach the lungs, causing blockage of the pulmonary artery. This situation requires special attention especially after sitting for a long time or after surgery.
Special cases of paradoxical embolism
Paradoxical embolism occurs under special conditions, usually due to a defect in the heart that causes the blood flow between veins and arteries to unexpectedly cross. Although this type of situation is relatively rare, it lurks a danger that cannot be underestimated.
How to prevent and respond?
To protect yourself from the threat of blood clots and embolism, you first need to change your lifestyle, including a reasonable diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular physical exams can detect potential heart disease or venous thrombosis risk early. In addition, doctors may recommend anticoagulants or other preventive measures for patients with known medical conditions.
Understanding your own health status and risk factors can help patients take good control of their health.
When dealing with embolism, it is important to understand the symptoms. If you feel sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Therefore, it is important for everyone to understand the importance of cardiovascular health and ways to protect themselves from the threat of blood clots and embolism. Are you adequately prepared to face potential dangers?
