Blood clots - symptoms and how to test
A clot occurs when the blood's platelets, proteins, and cells stick together. Blood clots are formed by the body to stop bleeding after an injury. Typically, the body breaks down and expels the blood clot once bleeding stops and healing begins. Anyone, regardless of age, is at risk for developing a blood clot; however, the risk is higher in some situations, such as following major surgery, being hospitalised, being pregnant, having cancer, or undergoing certain forms of cancer therapy. A person's risk also rises if there is a history of blood clots in their family. Clotting blood tests help doctors detect bleeding disorders and evaluate the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs like warfarin.