Blood Clotting Disorders Symptoms and Diagnosis
Blood clotting disorders that cause your blood to clot more than normal can be very serious. You may experience different symptoms depending on which part of your body is affected by the blood clot. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do tests to find out whether you have a blood clotting disorder.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include:
- Swollen and tender legs that are painful to the touch, if you have blood clots that block blood flow to your leg veins (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
- Shortness of breath and chest pain, if you have a blood clot that travels to the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism)
Visit your doctor if you have these symptoms. DVT is not life threatening, but it can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism if not treated.
Less common, but just as serious, are blood clots that form in the arteries. These can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Learn the symptoms of a heart attack and warning signs of a stroke.
You may have other symptoms such as bruising easily or often or extreme tiredness if you have a bleeding disorder.
Diagnosis
To find out whether you have a blood clotting disorder, your doctor may ask you about:
- Your medical history, including information about your symptoms, previous blood clots, disorders, or miscarriages
- Your family history, as blood clotting disorders often run in families
Your doctor may also do tests to find out whether you have a blood clotting disorder.
- Blood tests can help determine your blood’s clotting process and balance of clotting factors. Sometimes, certain medicines can affect blood test results. Tell your doctor about all the over-the-counter medicines you take.
- Genetic tests can tell you whether a relative has been diagnosed with a rare, inherited blood clotting disorder.
Your doctor may recommend that you visit a hematologist if you have frequent blood clots. A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating blood diseases and disorders.