Blood Flow and Clotting Potential

Do you have a family history of clots, strokes, varicose veins and raynaud syndrome?

Could you have the potential, as you get older, to have problems with blood flow.

Blood moves through blood vessels (arteries and veins), and is constantly in motion as the heart pumps blood through to the different areas of the body, (organs, glands, cells etc.) Blood is then returned back to the heart by the veins. Blood returns to the heart by the motion of the body. Muscles squeeze blood through the veins back toward the heart. Without motion, blood has a tendency to stagnate by gravity, and stagnant blood then has the tendency to clot.

Blood consists of

• red blood cells containing hemoglobin that carry oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide (the waste product of metabolism),
• white blood cells that fight infection,
• platelets that are part of the clotting process of the body, and
• blood plasma, which contains fluid, chemicals and proteins that are important for bodily functions.

How does a clot form?

Activated platelets release chemicals that start the clotting cascade, using a series of clotting factors produced by the body. Ultimately, fibrin is formed, the protein that crosslinks with itself to form a mesh that makes up the final blood clot.

The medical term for a blood clot is a thrombus (plural=thrombi). When a thrombus is formed as part of a normal repair process of the body, there is little consequence. 

It is a normal and important process in the body to form clots in certain situations. For instance to repair a blood vessel when it is damaged. It helps stop bleeding or haemorrhaging using fibrin and platelets. If we did not clot we would haemorrhage.

Unfortunately, there are times when a thrombus (blood clot) will form when it is not needed, and this can have potentially significant consequences. When blood clots form inappropriately inside an artery or vein, they may cause significant problems because blood flow past this point is decreased.

Symptoms of bad circulation to take note of and mention to practitioners:

Prevention is the key. 

• Chilblains – red itchy spots on hands or feet and sometimes on the tops of ears
• Varicose veins 
• Past history or family history of blood clots 
• Cold hands and feet
• Memory loss
• Past history or family history of heart attacks
• Past history or family history of strokes
• Raynaud syndrome

SERIOUS Symptoms – seek medical help ASAP

Symptoms of actual blood clots depend on their location in the body. Some blood clots produce no symptoms until they rupture or become dislodged and travel through the circulatory system to other sites. Symptoms of blood clots in specific body locations are as follows:

• Symptoms of blood clots in legs (deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are pain, redness, and swelling. 
• Symptoms of an arterial blood clot in a limb (leg or arm) include pain, pale colour, and coolness to the touch. and the leg is cool and pale.
• Symptoms of blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolus) include chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid pulse and breathing.
• Symptoms of a stroke (blood clot in an artery of the brain) include loss of speech, vision, and weakness on one side of the body.
• Symptoms of a heart attack (blood clot in a coronary artery) are chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, and sweating. Women, diabetics and the elderly may experience other non-specific symptoms.
• Symptoms of mesenteric ischemia (blood clot to an artery that supplies the intestine) include abdominal pain, nausea, blood in stool.

Tests

Performing these tests listed below you can find about your circulation and have more insight as you get older. You also have more knowledge leading into pregnancy, operations and travel. It is safer.

1.Blood clotting profile and relevant tests: 

• D-Dimer 

• Antithrombin 111 

• Protein C 

• Protein S - Antigen free And Antigen total 
• APC - Resistance 
• PT Fragments 1and 2 
• Lupus anticoagulant screen - KCT and RVV 
• Dilute thromboblastin times DTT 1:100 and DTT1:200 
• Beta2- Glycoproten 1 
• Factor V 
• Factor V111 
• Prothrombin variant  G20210A (factorII)

2. MTHFR gene

3. Homocysteine

4. Iron studies

5. B12 studies including MMA

Risks for clots

• Aging
• Flying on aeroplanes and altitude
• Prolonged immobility – travel, post surgery, bedridden
• High cholesterol ratio – size of LDL subfractions
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Some medications like - Contraceptive pill
• Surgery
• Vitamin K
• Long term bed rest and inactivity often due to illness or injury
• LDL subfractions size

Orthodox medications prescribed for people prone to clots

Anticoagulants -Asprin, Xarelto, Eliquis, Plavix, Pradaxa, Warfarin, Hesperin, Clexane, Fragmin. 

For the people who need these they are safe but wrongly prescribed they can be dangerous. Ask questions and one important question to ask is about the reversal. You do not want to knock your head and haemorrhage on this medication with no way of reversing it. Knowledge of all medication and side effects are really important.

Natural remedies that blood thin are:

• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B3
• Fish oils
• Nitric oxide
• L- citrulline and Arginine

Then there are the nutrients that help the integrity of the arteries and veins.

• Vitamin C
• Quercetin
• Vitamin A
• Hawthorn leaf/berries

Methylation and lower homocysteine is helped by

• Methyl B12
• Folate or MTHF

I am very interested in blood flow and family history because in searching for answers for my own fertility I discovered I have a prothrombin variant. I found this out after having a clotting profile tested.

To hold my three pregnancies, I injected heparin daily. I took, and still do take, vitamin E.

I am happy to discuss this topic with anyone. I cannot emphasise knowing you own circulation.  As you get older this knowledge could save your life.

 If you have questions regarding your blood flow please talk to your practitioner.