Thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. A clot in a vein can cause, for example, deep vein thrombosis in the leg or a pulmonary embolism; a clot in an artery can cause a heart attack, stroke or acute blockage in an arm or leg. Symptoms and urgency depend on the location.

• One-sided swelling, pain, warmth or discolouration of a leg or arm with deep vein thrombosis.
• Sudden shortness of breath, pain when breathing, a fast heartbeat, coughing up blood or fainting with pulmonary embolism.
• Take anticoagulants every day exactly as prescribed and do not skip or double a dose without advice.
• Report anticoagulant use before a procedure, dental treatment or new medicine, and carry an up-to-date medication list.
• Call the same day for new one-sided swelling, warmth, pain or discolouration of a leg or arm.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.