It has been over a year and still, the entire nations continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Are you one of them who are infected with Covid-19? Then, you will have to take extra precautions as Covid-19 can not only affect your brain, heart, or lungs but even lead to the formation of blood clots.
Many post-Covid patients encounter long-Covid symptoms after recovering from the infection. Insulin resistance, pneumonia, lung fibrosis, heart problems, and brain fog are commonly seen among post-Covid patients. But, now many people are experiencing blood clots after getting infected with Coronavirus. Yes, that’s right! Many have encountered blood clots problems and get paranoid due to it. You will be shocked to know that blood clots can lead to fatal strokes, heart attacks, and even pulmonary embolism.
Why blood clots are formed after recovering from Covid-19?
· Did you know blood clots are serious and cause damage to the brain, heart and lungs, if not treated at the right time? Moreover, one may also encounter long-term complications owing to blood clots.
· One may get blood clots when the virus causes a large amount of damage in the endothelial cells that triggers your body’s clotting mechanism. One may be at the risk of blood clotting due to the damaged tissues in the endothelial cells because of the viral infection or even the body’s immune response. Clotting is seen when the inflammatory molecules in the immune system produce a response to viral infection.
· Clotting happens in the vessels connecting to the muscles that pump the heart and cause a heart attack. Clotting forms in the visceral arteries that supply blood to various internal organs like kidneys and even the intestine. Moreover, clotting affects the limbs and can lead to loss of limbs if there is no blood circulation owing to the formation of clots. The clots tend to develop in the arteries and form in the blood vessels carrying blood from the heart through the neck to one’s brain inviting a stroke. You will be shocked to know that the clots in your veins will go up to the heart and lungs leading to pulmonary embolism.
WHO MAY ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM?
Those who are severely ill due to Covid-19 and are hospitalised may develop blood clots. Once having comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity can also encounter this problem. Hence, you will have to be careful and follow all the instructions given by the doctor.
COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO BLOOD CLOTTING
Stroke due to blood clotting will lead to paralysis or pulmonary embolism wherein an artery in the lungs will get blocked due to a sudden drop in blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. Even limb ischemia is the clot in the artery of legs, deep vein thrombosis that is blood clots in veins present in the legs which cause pulmonary embolism are some of the complications seen in the patients with blood clots.
TREATMENT
Blood thinners or an anticoagulant will prevent the formation of blood clots. However, your doctor will recommend the right kind of treatment for you. Do not self-medicate or try home remedies.
TIPS TO PREVENT BLOOD CLOTS
You will have to keep moving from time to time, to avoid blood clots. Do not sit for a longer time or avoid sitting in one position for an extended period. Don’t forget to exercise regularly and stay healthy. Maintain an optimum weight to prevent blood clotting. Bid adieu to smoking and alcohol as smoking will give a tough time to your lungs causing blood clots.
The writer is a General Physician, Apollo Spectra Nehru Enclave, New Delhi.