Blood clots in the heart can cause shortness of breath, nausea, a fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, discomfort in the chest, chest heaviness or pain, and excessive sweating. A large enough blood clot can eventually completely block an artery. This could lead to a heart attack. Let’s take a closer look at what causes blood clots in the heart to form and the importance of anticoagulation treatment.
What Causes Heart Blood Clots?
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of clots developing in the heart’s arteries. While other things can cause heart blood clots, atherosclerosis is the most prominent cause. Atherosclerosis is when the arteries thicken or harden because of a buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries. This plaque is made from various things like cellular waste, calcium, cholesterol, fibrin, and fatty substances. Atherosclerosis causes the blood vessel to become thin and constrained. This causes the blood vessel to be at a much higher risk of developing a blood clot. Let’s explore what causes atherosclerosis.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol, especially for long periods, can lead to atherosclerosis. As mentioned before, plaque buildup often consists of cholesterol. This means the more cholesterol you have, the more plaque buildup you could produce.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure contributes to atherosclerosis by straining and damaging the blood vessel. High blood pressure naturally thickens the walls of the arteries as they try to adapt to the larger amount of pressure. This contributes to atherosclerosis by narrowing the blood vessel.
Smoking
Smoking can also contribute to atherosclerosis by increasing plaque buildup. Cigarettes can alter your blood’s chemistry and increase the amount of plaque buildup in an artery. This increases the effect of atherosclerosis.
Seeking Treatment
Seeking treatment for any heart condition can be stressful. Thankfully, our team at Premier Heart and Vein Care is here to help. We provide anticoagulation clinic services to help prevent and treat blood clots. Our team provides expertise and care to all of our patients to ensure the best quality of treatment. If you’re concerned about your heart health, contact Premier Heart and Vein Care at 805-540-3333 today.
