Arterial thrombosis: symptoms, causes and treatment

What is arterial thrombosis

Arterial thrombosis or arterial thrombosis is a condition in which there is a blood clot in the artery. The arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body and heart muscle.

If there is a blood clotting disorder in the arteries, this condition can be fatal. The reason is, blood clots can block blood flow and prevent blood from being spread to important organs of the body.

Other types of thrombosis are deep vein thrombosis or thrombosis in deep veins. Some of the serious health complications that result from thrombosis are strokes, heart attacks and breathing problems.

How common is this condition?

Arterial thrombosis can happen to anyone. However, this condition is more common in people aged 60 years and over.

Plus, people who lack daily physical activity, pregnant women, and suffer from platelet disorders have a greater chance of suffering from this condition.

Signs and symptoms of arterial thrombosis

Usually, the signs and symptoms of arterial thrombosis won't be felt if the blood clot hasn't blocked the flow of blood.

If a blood clot (thrombus) has started to block blood circulation, you may experience symptoms such as:

chest pain
hard to breathe
headache
pain in the arm or leg
discoloration of the skin (turning pale or bluish)
messy way of talking
one part of the face is limp

If you experience one or more of the symptoms above, you should not delay the time to see a doctor. The above symptoms can indicate that the blood clot has affected other important organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, or brain.

Causes of arterial thrombosis

One of the main causes of arterial thrombosis is hardening of the artery walls, also known as atherosclerosis.

This phenomenon occurs when excess fat or calcium builds up on the artery walls. The buildup will thicken and harden, forming a plaque-like substance.

When plaque thickens on the vessel walls, it can narrow blood flow in the arteries. Plaque can break or break at any time, so that platelets or pieces of blood will collect and carry out the blood clotting process to overcome damage to the artery walls. This blood clot is at risk of blocking the flow of blood to the arteries.

There are many conditions and lifestyles that can trigger atherosclerosis. Some of them are smoking, unhealthy diet, not being active, and suffering from diseases such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

Risk factors

Arterial thrombosis is a condition that can happen to anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's chances of developing this condition.

According to an article from the journal Blood Transfusion, here are the risk factors for arterial thrombosis:

old age
actively smoking
suffer from high cholesterol
have diabetes
have high blood pressure
excess body weight (obesity)
have had thrombosis before
use oral contraceptives and other hormone therapy
is pregnant

Diagnosis and treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

The medical team and doctor will first check your medical history and perform a physical examination. After that, you may need to undergo some additional tests, such as:

Ultrasound test: to check blood flow in the arteries
Blood test: to find out how well your blood clots
Venography: a test performed by injecting a special liquid to make it easier to check with X-rays
CT scan or MRI scan: these two imaging tests are performed depending on which part of the body is thrombosed

What are the treatment options for arterial thrombosis?

Arterial thrombosis treatment will be carried out based on your medical history, age, and how your health condition is after receiving treatment. The following are some of the recommended options for treating arterial thrombosis:

blood thinners or anticoagulants
catheter or small tube to dilate blood vessels
injectable thrombolytic drugs to thin blood clots
surgery (embolectomy) to remove blood clots

Arterial thrombosis prevention

You don't need to worry because arterial thrombosis is a condition that can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some important tips that you can try to avoid the risk of developing blood clots: