What Causes Blood Clots?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. Disease Process
To understand the nature of harmful blood clots, we have to know how the natural clotting process happens first. In case of damage to a blood vessel, platelets accumulate and form a plug. They adhere to the injured area trying to stop the bleeding. The clot increases in size by the actions of some proteins and enzymes making it more durable.
These actions are limited in order not to exceed the injured area. Once the damaged tissues heal, the clot starts to dissolve naturally. Harmful blood clots arise when they do not dissolve and persist inside a blood vessel. Problems begin when the blood clot prevents blood from reaching tissues.
Advertisement
