Diseases & Conditions
How to prevent clots in the legs and lungs
A blockage outside the heart can be just as dangerous as a heart attack.
A blood clot in the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack. But a blood clot in a large vein somewhere else in the body, called venous thromboembolism (VTE), can also end in a medical emergency. Fortunately, the risk factors for heart attacks and "vein attacks" are similar, and therefore VTE is preventable. And if you do develop a clot, treatment with anticoagulant medications can protect you from developing another.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
