A blood clot that blocks an artery or vein and stops blood flow is called a thrombus. These are most commonly found in the veins of the leg and can travel to the pelvis and lungs. A thrombus in the leg or pelvic vein is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
A thrombus that breaks free and travels through the bloodstream it is called an embolus. When an embolus blocks an artery in the lung, it is called a pulmonary embolism.
Common signs of a DVT include:
- Pain in the calf or leg muscle
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Discoloration
- Prominent veins
Common symptoms of a pulmonary embolus include:
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Less common symptoms may include:
- pain in the back
- shoulder or upper abdomen
- dizziness; fainting
- painful respiration
- new onset of wheezing
- any new heart arrhythmia
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