Blood clots prevent the healthy flow of blood throughout your body. A blood clot in your foot or leg can be a life-threatening issue if the clot ends up moving and becoming lodged in an area like your lungs. Because of this, it’s in your best interest to both reduce your risk of a blood clot and work to treat any suspected clotting issues.
In order to do this, you need to know some of the subtle and more obvious signs of a circulation or clot issue in your lower body. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five signs of a blood clot in your feet and legs.
Five Signs Of A Blood Clot
Blood clotting can oftentimes be detected before it causes a life threatening issue if you are aware of what types of symptoms a clot can produce. Here are five signs of a blood clot in your legs or feet:
1. Inflammation and Swelling – If you’re dealing with unexplained swelling in your legs, calves or feet, it could be the result of a circulation issue caused by a blood clot. It’s hard for your body to absorb these clots naturally in this area of your body, so fluid buildup in the lower leg is common when a clot is forming.
2. Warmth – Because of the increased fluid around the clot, the area around it may be a little warmer to the touch. If an area of your leg is swollen and warm, it could be the result of blocked blood flow caused by a clot.
3. Pain/Tenderness – A clot may also make the area a little sore, tender or even painful to the touch. You may also notice this discomfort when you’re moving your legs, like when you’re walking.
4. Elevated Heart Rate – As the blood clot forms and builds, your body will do what it can to get rid of it. Your vital organs will start to work harder, which can lead to an increased heart rate. If you have an elevated heart rate not linked to physical activity, it could be caused by a blood clot.
5. Fatigue – As we mentioned above, when a blood clot forms in your legs, your body works overtime to try and get rid of it. Internally your body is working a lot harder, which can lead to weakness or general fatigue. If you’re tired without exerting a lot of effort, or if you can never seem to recharge your batteries after a good night’s sleep, the underlying issue may be a clot.