The 24th June, 2022 started just like any other Sunday for Esteban. He was in his garden, trying to avoid the volley of Nerf bullets his cousins were aiming at him as they played in the warm summer sun.
Blood clots
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiovascular care
- 99% of patients would recommend us to friends and family
Jump to
Why choose us?
Blood clots
We’re UK’s leading private provider of cardiovascular care. You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art facilities and expert care from some of the country’s leading experts. It’s how we ensure accurate test results, rapid diagnosis, and effective, fully personalised treatment plans.
We’ll confirm an appointment with a specialist within 24 hours, offering rapid access to the latest tests and treatments for blood clots. You'll be looked after by our leading consultants who are experts in their field – all supported by subspecialists from a range of backgrounds.
No wonder 99% of people we’ve treated say they would recommend us to friends and family.
Clotting is a natural process that helps prevent excessive bleeding. It is also your body's normal response if you've been cut or injured. But blood clots can also cause serious medical emergencies. Once they've served their purpose, blood clots should dissolve naturally. However, complications can arise if they don't form or function as intended.
It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you might have a blood clot.
If you or someone else experiences any of the following symptoms linked to a blood clot, you should call 999 immediately:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg
- Sudden slurring of speech or inability to speak
- Sudden confusion or inability to understand what's being said
- Loss of consciousness
Ordinary blood clots form and dissolve naturally and usually aren't noticeable. However, if problems arise, you may develop some of the following symptoms of a blood clot depending on where it's located:
- Arms and legs: Throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness, numbness and skin that is warm to the touch.
- Lungs: Sharp chest pain, breathing difficulties, breathlessness, coughing, coughing up blood, sweating and fever.
- Heart: Chest pain or tightness, pain in other parts of the upper body, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea and breathing difficulties.
- Brain: Changes in speech, vision and behaviour, persistent headaches, dizziness and weakness or numbness in face, arms or legs.
The cause of blood clots that form abnormally or don't dissolve can be difficult to identify. Genetics can determine how quickly your body reacts to signals from your cardiovascular system and how effectively your blood clots and dissolves. Medications can have a similar effect.
Other risk factors for blood clots include:
- Age (those 60 and above are more at risk)
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Lack of activity and movement
- Smoking
- Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy
- Previously having had a blood clot
The chance of blood clots developing can never be avoided entirely. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Stay active and keep your body moving
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Maintain a healthy weight for you
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid regular, excessive consumption of alcohol
- See your GP as soon as possible if you notice any blood clot symptoms
200+
expert cardiology consultants to choose from
26,000+
cardiac patients treated every year
99%
success rate across all cardiac surgery
Next day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
Get results in as little as 48 hours.*
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Choose from 5 hospitals and 15 diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Worried about blood clots, but not sure what to do?
Get in touch and book a same-day or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you’ve already got your referral letter, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book your consultation directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Book an appointment with one of our consultants and find out your next steps.
Blood clot tests and scans at HCA UK
State-of-the-art diagnosis with fast results
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the latest testing and imaging technology, with results delivered in as little as 48 hours, so you can get the treatment you need, when you need it. If we suspect you have a blood clot, there are a number of ways to identify where it's located and how severe it might be.
And even if you aren't experiencing symptoms, we can test for blood clots if you're at a higher risk or you’re just keen to get a better understanding of your health. Those tests include:
- Physical examination
- Personal health history
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- CT scans
Blood clot treatment at HCA UK
Life-changing treatment
The treatment for blood clots depends on the severity and location of the blockage. Most cases can be treated with medication, and lifestyle changes can help reduce the chance of blood clots occurring in the future. Urgent blood clots that threaten vital organs may require surgery but, with our 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery, you can be sure you’ll be in good hands.
Whatever your situation, your consultant will recommend the most effective treatment options for you, building a fully personalised treatment plan based on your condition and overall health.
- Anticoagulants
- Thrombolytics (blood thinners)
- Catheter-directed thrombolysis (clot busters)
- Vena cava filter placement
- Thrombectomy
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
The chance of blood clots developing can never be avoided entirely. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Stay active and keep your body moving
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Maintain a healthy weight for you
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid regular, excessive consumption of alcohol
- See your GP as soon as possible if you notice any blood clot symptoms
If a blood clot blocks and disrupts the flow of blood to limbs and organs, it’s called thrombosis. Blood clots can also detach and travel around the body, potentially obstructing blood flow elsewhere. When this happens, it’s called an embolism.
Diagnosing blood clots as early as possible is crucial to provide effective treatment and prevent further damage. However, the signs and symptoms of a blood clot can vary significantly and overlap with a number of cardiovascular conditions. This makes diagnosis challenging.
Most early-stage blood clot symptoms tend to be milder but persistent, so it's best to consult a doctor as soon as you can if you experience any of the above symptoms, including throbbing or cramping pain in the limbs, breathing difficulties, chest pain, light-headedness or changes in speech, vision and behaviour.
Our private GP service offers access to same-day and next-day appointments, or you can see one of our specialists.
Severe symptoms may be a sign that a blood clot is potentially life-threatening. You should call 999 immediately if you or someone else experiences any of the following:
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg
- Sudden slurring of speech or inability to speak
- Sudden confusion or inability to understand what's being said
- Loss of consciousness
Blood thinning medicines reduce the chances of clots forming or growing and can be taken as oral tablets or delivered via injections. You might need to take them for an extended period after a blood clot.
If you've already suffered a clot that your body can't dissolve, you may be given thrombolytics (or ‘clot busters’) to help disintegrate it. This medication consists of enzymes that help to break down the fibrins (proteins) that are used to form clots. If you're naturally at a higher risk of blood clots, you may need to take anticoagulants for the rest of your life to manage this risk.
Patient stories
Esteban’s lucky break: How ankle surgery saved a life
How a health kick revealed a serious heart condition
When the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, like millions of others, 56-year-old House Manager James took the opportunity to introduce some simple daily exercise into his busy work schedule. Little did he know that the changes would reveal a hidden heart condition, that would require a triple heart bypass to fix.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“That human touch you get at each step, the encouragement and support – it all adds up and helps you get through it.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.