• Question: What is a blood clot?

    Asked by tomalie to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 20 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 20 Mar 2012:

      Blood clots in order to stop bleeding. Clots occur because special blood cells called platelets make a structure that basically plugs up the damaged blood vessel. Some people have fewer than average platelet numbers and it is more difficult to stop bleeding in these people. There are drugs that can be taken for this. Other people have too many platelets whose blood clots too easily – this is dangerous as it can block your blood vessels. There are also drugs you can take for this.

      When flying, there is a danger of getting blood clots in your veins. This because you spend a lot of time sitting down and also because the atmosphere in the plane is drying so you can become dehydrated. The dehydration can thicken the blood and the lack movement means the blood is not being pumped around the body as much – these conditions make make the risk of a clot higher.

    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 20 Mar 2012:

      Blood clotting, or coagulation, is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Blood contains important proteins called clotting factors, which are critical to the clotting process. Although platelets alone can plug small blood vessel leaks and temporarily stop or slow bleeding, the action of clotting factors is needed to produce a strong, stable clot.

      Platelets and clotting factors work together to form solid lumps to seal leaks, wounds, cuts, and scratches and to prevent bleeding inside and on the surfaces of our bodies. The process of clotting is like a puzzle with interlocking parts. When the last part is in place, the clot happens — but if only one piece is missing, the final pieces can’t come together.

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