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Blood clots are common among elderly people, but they can be life-threatening without fast action. There are two related conditions that can cause blood clots: deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the abnormal clotting of the blood in a deep vein, and pulmonary embolism (PE), which occurs when a DVT breaks free from its original site and travels through the blood stream. Both are very dangerous and can cause organ damage and death.
The scariest thing about blood clots is that they can kill very quickly. If they are not fatal, failure to receive fast treatment can result in long-term pain. Both DVT and PE are medical emergencies that must be addressed promptly. In many cases, calling for help or phoning your emergency contact will take too much time. Medical alert technology is the best way to ensure you get the prompt emergency care you need while experiencing a blood clot.
Blood Clot Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Blood clot symptoms can vary by age group, which means you may not be familiar with blood clot signs in elderly folks. If you are at a higher risk for developing blood clots, know the signs and symptoms so that you can get help when you need it. Symptoms include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Sharp chest pain, especially while breathing in
- Collapse
Deep vein thrombosis symptoms are often harder to identify. They include leg swelling, unexplained pain or tenderness in the leg, discoloration, and increased warmth in the area of the leg that is swollen. If you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Medical Alerts Can Save Your Life from Blood Clots
Of course, the best way to address blood clots is through prevention and early intervention. Many seniors are at risk despite taking preventative action. The next-best thing then, is to ensure you can receive the help you need in the case of an emergency. While calling for help and phoning 911 are good options, the fastest and most effective choice is a medical alert device. This is especially true for seniors who have recently undergone a major surgery, those who have cancer, and those who have experienced major leg trauma, pregnancy, obesity, and who have a family history of blood clots. These risk factors significantly increase a person’s chances of experiencing a clot.
If you know you are at a higher risk of experiencing a blood clot, investing in medical alert technology now could save your life later. Many who experience pulmonary embolisms collapse before having the time to contact help. You can’t count on being able to get to the phone to call 911. Fall detection and medical alert systems from Alert1 can quickly and effectively help you access emergency care, even if you’re incapacitated.