• Question: How do blood clots happen?

    Asked by Pigs to Cristina, Gemma, Loan, Michael, Praveen on 16 Nov 2015. This question was also asked by 797hrtd24, 329hrtd24.
    • Photo: Gemma Barron

      Gemma Barron answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      Hi @Pigs,
      Thank you for your interesting question. Anyone can get a blood clot but you’re at more risk if you don’t move around much (sitting in long trips by plane or care) or if you’re unwell (risk does also increase when you are over 60 years old, a smoker, overweight or obese, having hormone replacement therapy, are pregnant or just had a baby, are dehydrated, have cancer or just had major surgery).
      Blood clotting (coagulation) is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Blood cells (platelets) and proteins in your blood work together to stop the bleeding by forming a clot over the injury in veins and arteries. Normally, our bodies naturally dissolve the blood clot after the injury has healed. However, sometimes blood clots don’t dissolve, restricting blood flow back to the heart and these situations can be dangerous and require urgent medical treatment. I hope that answers your question. Thanks, Gemma

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