fresh no ads
A blood clot's danger depends on where it is | Philstar.com
^

Health And Family

A blood clot's danger depends on where it is

The Philippine Star
January 2, 2013 | 8:30am
A blood clot's danger depends on where it is

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, listens to a reporter ask a question during a news conference with African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, not seen, after their meeting at the Department of State in Washington, in this Nov. 28, 2012 file photo. Doctors treating Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for a blood clot in her head said Monday Dec. 31, 2012 that blood thinners are being used to dissolve the clot and they are confident she will make a full recovery. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

 

(AP) - Blood clots like the one that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is being treated for can occur for a host of reasons. How serious a clot is depends on where it is and why it formed. Clinton's doctors say her clot was located in a vein between the brain and the skull behind the right ear.

WHAT THEY ARE: Blood pools and thickens into a clot after an injury or because of a heart problem, clogged arteries or other condition. Clots also can break off and travel to another part of the body.
 
WHERE THEY OCCUR: In leg veins (called deep vein thrombosis) or in blood vessels in the neck, brain or lungs. Leg clots are a common risk after someone has been bedridden. Clots are most dangerous when they travel to the lungs, a potentially life-threatening situation, or to the brain, where they can cause a stroke.
 
RISK FACTORS: High blood pressure, diabetes, birth control pills, pregnancy, stroke, recent surgery, prolonged sitting, circulation problems and heart problems — especially an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation — raise the chances of developing a blood clot.
 
TREATMENT: Sometimes a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin) is prescribed to allow the clot to dissolve by itself over time and prevent new ones from forming.

BLOOD

BRAIN

CALLED

CLINTON

CLOT

CLOTS

COUMADIN

SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with