Swelling and discoloration of the foot may be indicative of a blood clot.
Blood clots anywhere in the body can be dangerous, and a blood clot in the foot is no different. Many people who experience swelling or swelling in their feet, as well as pain or numbness, do not recognize these symptoms of blood clots. These symptoms and other signs of a problem often go unnoticed until the blood clot is transferred to another part of the body and becomes a life-threatening condition.
If left untreated, a blood clot in the foot can travel to the heart and cause a heart attack.
In most cases, people suffering from a blood clot in the foot will notice that the affected foot is swollen and discolored. Depending on whether the blood clot blocks blood flow into or out of the foot, the coloration may be purple or red, respectively. The sufferer may also notice that the veins on the surface of the feet appear larger than normal. This appearance is commonly known as varicose veins.
Blood clots that form in the foot can travel to other parts of the body if left untreated.
At this point, the victim may develop numbness in the affected foot because the blood clot effectively blocks blood circulation. At the other end of the spectrum, the sufferer may also begin to experience severe pain, which has been described as throbbing, aching, or sharp, when standing up, walking, or flexing the foot. This numbness or pain can spread to the leg because the blocked vein deprives the leg of an adequate blood supply.
A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, is the result of the agglutination of various blood cells.
Early detection and resolution of a blood clot in the foot is vital. With the proper medical response, clots can be treated and most people who catch them early will make a full recovery. Using blood thinners such as aspirin or prescription medications, along with special therapies and techniques, medical professionals can often dissolve a blood clot before it creates a serious threat.
Swelling and numbness are symptoms of a blood clot in the foot.
Without proper medical care, a blood clot can easily travel to the heart and cause a heart attack. It can also break off and lodge in a vein that feeds the brain, causing a stroke. Blood clots that break loose and travel to the lungs have equally disastrous potential because they can cause a pulmonary embolism. These life-threatening conditions are why an immediate response is needed when it comes to foot discoloration, foot and leg pain, numbness, or any other sign of a blood clot in the foot.
