Can blood clots go undetected?

“But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don't have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition. Deep vein clots—especially those in the thigh—can break off and travel through the bloodstream.
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Can you have a blood clot and not know?

Some people may not develop — or notice — any symptoms at all. Clots that develop in the abdomen are a form of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can cause symptoms like: severe abdominal pain. abdominal pain that comes and goes.
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Can a blood clot go undetected for months?

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis

One of the problems in diagnosing DVT is that many people develop the condition without any symptoms. This usually makes the condition go undetected for a very long time.
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What are the first signs of a blood clot?

Symptoms of a blood clot include:
  • throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm.
  • sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.
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Can blood clots be missed?

While it is technically true that a blood clot can happen to anyone at any time without an apparent cause, there are a number of risk factors for DVT that patients and doctors should be aware of.
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How long can a blood clot go undetected?



What are the 5 warning signs of a blood clot?

Arms, Legs
  • Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
  • Change in color. You might notice that your arm or leg takes on a red or blue tinge, or gets or itchy.
  • Pain. ...
  • Warm skin. ...
  • Trouble breathing. ...
  • Lower leg cramp. ...
  • Pitting edema. ...
  • Swollen, painful veins.
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Can you have a blood clot in your leg and not know it?

Blood clot in leg vein

Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms. You can get DVT if you have certain medical conditions that affect how the blood clots. A blood clot in the legs can also develop if you don't move for a long time.
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How long can DVT last undetected?

Living with DVT

It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms.
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How do you check for blood clots at home?

These include:
  1. Swelling in one or both legs.
  2. Changes in the color of the affected leg - typically to a blue or purple shade.
  3. A warm feeling of the skin on the affected limb.
  4. Leg tenderness or pain.
  5. Tired or restless leg that doesn't appear to go away.
  6. Reddening or discoloration of the skin on the leg.
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How do you check for blood clots?

Tests used to diagnose or rule out DVT include:
  1. D-dimer blood test. D dimer is a type of protein produced by blood clots. ...
  2. Duplex ultrasound. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to create pictures of how blood flows through the veins. ...
  3. Venography. ...
  4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
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How often do blood clots go unnoticed?

“But about 30–40% of cases go unnoticed, since they don't have typical symptoms.” In fact, some people don't realize they have a deep vein clot until it causes a more serious condition. Deep vein clots—especially those in the thigh—can break off and travel through the bloodstream.
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Can you have a blood clot for years?

Signs of the condition, like skin ulcers on your leg or swelling, can be painful or uncomfortable. They can happen a few months or up to 2 years after you have DVT. They could last for years or stick around for good.
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What age is common for blood clots?

Blood clots become more common as people get older, especially when they are over age 65. Long hospital stays, surgeries and trauma may significantly increase your risk of blood clots. Other factors can increase your risk to a lesser degree.
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What does an early blood clot feel like?

Symptoms include: leg pain or discomfort that may feel like a pulled muscle, tightness, cramping or soreness. swelling in the affected leg. redness or discoloration of the sore spot.
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How do doctors check for blood clots in legs?

An ultrasound is the most common diagnostic test for DVT and uses sound waves to create a picture of the arteries and veins in the leg. Doctors also can order a blood test known as the D-dimer test. Computed tomography (CT) scans are typically used to diagnose PE.
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What happens if a blood clot in the leg goes untreated?

If left untreated, about 1 in 10 people with a DVT will develop a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is a very serious condition which causes: breathlessness – which may come on gradually or suddenly. chest pain – which may become worse when you breathe in.
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Does a blood clot hurt all the time?

Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.
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Should you take aspirin if you think you have a blood clot?

Low-dose aspirin is a cheap and effective way to prevent potentially deadly blood clots in the leg or the lungs in patients who have had a previous blood clot, a new study shows.
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Do you feel sick with a blood clot?

DVT sometimes doesn't cause any symptoms. However, symptoms can include: pain, swelling and tenderness in one of your legs (usually your calf) a heavy ache in the affected area.
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How long can you live with a blood clot in your leg?

About 23% of people with PE will die within 3 months of diagnosis, just over 30% will die after 6 months, and there is a 37% mortality (death) rate at 1 year after being diagnosed.
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Can a blood clot be missed on an ultrasound?

The rate of missed diagnosis of lower-limb DVT by ultrasound amounts to 50% or so in patients without symptoms of DVT - PMC. The .
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Does a blood clot feel like a pulled muscle?

These symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a “Charley horse,” but may differ in that the leg (or arm) may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm. Contact your doctor as soon as you can if you have any of these symptoms, because you may need treatment right away.
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Does blood clot pain come and go in leg?

Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg:

swelling or pain in the affected calf muscle or area. The pain will usually get worse over time and does not come and go, like the feeling of a pulled muscle might. a red or raw tender area of skin, often below the back of the knee. veins that feel hard or swollen when you touch ...
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Can you walk with a blood clot in your leg?

Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.
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Are there warning signs before a pulmonary embolism?

Sudden shortness of breath (most common) Chest pain (usually worse with breathing) A feeling of anxiety. A feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
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