Blood clots are a serious issue, as they can be life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 900,000 peopleTrusted Source in the United States are affected by this condition each year. The CDC further estimates that 60,000 to 100,000 people die from this condition annually.When a blood clot occurs in one of your veins, it’s called venous thromboembolism (VTE).
If you’re even slightly concerned you might have one, call your doctor right away. Symptoms of blood clots can vary. It’s also possible to have a blood clot with no symptoms.
A blood clot in the leg: A blood clot that shows up in one of the major veins in your body is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). They’re most common in the legs or the hip region. While the mere existence of a clot in your legs won’t harm you, the clot could break loose and lodge in your lungs. This leads to a serious and potentially fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).
A blood clot in the chest: Blood clots may be more common in the lower legs, but they can happen in other parts of your body, too. Where clots form and where they end up influence which symptoms you have and the consequences.
For example, when a blood clot forms in the arteries of the heart and blocks blood flow, it can cause a heart attack. Or a blood clot could travel to your lungs and cause a PE.
Both can be life-threatening and have similar symptoms. Chest pain is a sign that something is wrong, but figuring out if it’s a heart attack, a PE, or just indigestion can be difficult.
