Thrombosis vs. Embolism: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Written by Emily Lunardo
Published on March 26, 2018

Thrombosis vs. EmbolismThrombosis and embolisms are different conditions, but they’re both characterized by a blood clot. Thrombosis happens when a thrombus, or blood clot, forms in a blood vessel. As a result, blood flow through the vessel is reduced. With an embolism, a piece of a blood clot (embolus), foreign object, or other bodily substance becomes lodged in a blood vessel. This largely obstructs blood flow.

This clot can travel through the body. Thromboembolism, a similar condition, is when an embolism from a blood clot specifically causes a reduction in blood flow. Many people develop blood clots, and there are many causes of each condition. In cases where blood flow is blocked in a deep vein or large artery, there is a much greater health risk.

Comparison between Thrombosis and Embolism

Thrombosis

Embolism

Condition

A blood clot is formed in a blood vessel, obstructing blood flow. The clot, thrombus, does not move to different parts of the body.

A complete or part of a blood clot detaches from its site, causing a blockage in a part of the body. The clot formed is called an embolus and can travel to another part of the body.

Classification

Thrombosis is classified as venous (formed in a vein) and arterial (formed in an artery) thrombosis.

An embolism is classified as arterial embolism and venous embolism. The first results in a blocked vessel in any part of the body, caused by the moving clot.

Causes
  • Thrombosis causes include the disruption of blood flow, hypercoagulability, and injury to the endothelial lining of the blood vessel.
  • Venous thrombosis is caused by disease or injury to the veins in the legs, fracture, obesity, certain medications, inherited disordered, autoimmune disorders, and immobility.
  • It is suspected that the cause of arterial thrombosis is the hardening of the arteries where fatty or calcium deposits thicken the arterial walls.
  • Embolism causes primarily include deep vein thrombosis, where the clot is formed deep in the vessels of the thigh or leg. If it breaks free from the site, it may cause blockage in other parts of the body. Other causes include atherosclerosis, endocarditis, atrial fibrillation, and mitral stenosis.
  • Arterial embolisms are caused by blood clots. Damaged arteries, disease, and other health issues are primary causes. High blood pressure is also a common cause, as it weakens the arterial walls, making it easier for blood to build up and form clots. Other common causes of these blood clots include smoking, high cholesterol, injuries, and heart disease.
  • The causes of pulmonary embolisms (clots in the lungs) typically include a blood clot in a deep vein in the leg that travels to the lungs and gets stuck in a smaller lung artery. It is also caused by small masses of infectious material, fat released in the bloodstream after injuries, air bubbles from trauma or surgery, and rapid-growing tumors.

Symptoms

Thrombosis symptoms include the following:

  • Swelling in one leg or arm
  • Leg pain or tenderness (resembling the feeling of a cramp or Charley horse)
  • Red or blue skin discoloration
  • Arm or leg is warm to the touch
  • Varicose veins

Embolism symptoms include the following:

  • Shortness of breath
  • An unexplained cough (bloody mucus)
  • Irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, lack of pulse
  • Sharp chest pain (stabbing feeling)
  • Excessive sweating and coldness
  • Tingling, numbness, or pain in the muscles
  • Pale skin
  • Feeling of weakness

Complications

There are two main complications of thrombosis and they include pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome. Post-thrombotic syndrome is when a patient develops long-term symptoms in their calf including pain, swelling, rashes, and ulcers.p

Complications of embolism include cardiac arrest and sudden death, abnormal heartbeat, shock, pulmonary infarction (death of part of the lung), paradoxical embolism, and pulmonary hypertension. In some cases, a complication may include a buildup of fluid between the outer lining of the lungs and the inner lining of the chest cavity.p

Differentiating Treatment Methods of Thrombosis and Embolism

Thrombosis Treatment

Treatment of thrombosis depends on the clot’s location. For deep vein thrombosis arterial clots, treatment options include the following:

  • Anticoagulants/blood thinners: These medications can be injected or taken orally as pills, and they lower the body’s ability to clot. Although they do not break up existing blood clots, they can prevent them from growing and reduce your risk of developing more. Doctors will inject the drug under the skin over a few days, before prescribing pills to continue thinning the blood. Pill prescriptions may be taken for at least three months, depending on the doctor’s recommendation.
  • Clot busters: For serious cases, and if medications are not producing good results, doctors may prescribe drugs that break up the clots. These are known as clot busters, or thrombolytics. They can be administered through an IV line, or a catheter, and can cause serious bleeding if taken incorrectly.
  • Filters: If you are unable to take medicines that thin your blood, a filter may be installed into a large vein in your abdomen. This filter in your vena cava can prevent clots that break loose from traveling to your lungs and causing a more serious clot.
  • Compression stockings: If the swelling is your major symptom, these stockings can be worn.

Embolism Treatment

Embolism treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, thrombolytics, and painkillers can be prescribed by doctors. If the flow is blocked completely, doctors may suggest angioplasty, arterial bypass, or embolectomy (clot removed surgically). Some treatments for thrombosis may also be used to treat this condition.

The most important way to prevent a blood clot in your body is to be proactive. Find out if you are at risk and how you can prevent clots from occurring. You can investigate your family history of illnesses, recognize the signs and symptoms, move around if you have been sitting for a long time, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking if you do. Learning about the condition and taking care of your health is simple and manageable ways to prevent blood clots and safeguarding your health.

Related:

Asthma patients face higher risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis

Daily meat and eggs may increase blood clot formation

Related Reading:

Sleep apnea patients are at increased risk for blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Varicose Veins Linked with Higher Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis

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On any matter relating to your health or well-being, please check with an appropriate health professional. No statement herein is to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventative, or cure for any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Foods and Drugs Administration or Health Canada. Dr. Marchione and the doctors on the Bel Marra Health Editorial Team are compensated by Bel Marra Health for their work in creating content, consulting along with formulating and endorsing products.

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