How Do You Get Blood Clots in the Arm?

Blood clots are gel-like masses that form to prevent bleeding. Without the ability to clot, even a minor injury could lead to life-threatening blood loss. However, when clots form inside blood vessels, they can cause serious symptoms and become dangerous.

A single blood clot is known as a thrombus, while excessive and unnecessary blood clot formation is referred to as thrombosis. These clots can block blood flow in veins and arteries, potentially leading to severe complications. For example, a blood clot in the arm can travel to the lungs, brain, heart, or other vital organs, posing significant risks.¹ Superficial thrombophlebitis, occurs when clots form in veins close to the skin’s surface, while deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which affects approximately 900,000 people in America every year, involves clots in larger veins.² When blood clots move around the body (embolism), they can affect vital organs and cause life-threatening situations.

What Do Blood Clots in the Arm Feel Like?

Blood clots are more common in the legs but sometimes form in the arms. Arm blood clot symptoms include:³ 

• Swelling of the arm
• Gradual or sudden pain
• Pain upon touching the affected area
• Warmth of the affected arm

Symptoms can depend on whether the vessel is blocked partially or completely. If the clot detaches and travels from the place it formed, further symptoms may develop. It can then cause dangerous situations like pulmonary embolism, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, and others.⁴ See a doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms:⁵

• Throbbing or cramping pain
• Sudden breathlessness
• Sharp chest pain
• Increasing redness, swelling, and warmth in the arm
• Coughing up blood

Causes of Blood Clots in the Arms

Blood clots are often associated with varicose veins, which are most frequent in the legs but sometimes affect the arms.⁶ However, 5% to 10% of blood clots happen in the arms and can be caused by:⁷

• Sports such as wrestling, gymnastics, and swimming
• Repetitive throwing movements at work or in sports
• Some cancers
• Medical procedures such as central venous catheterization
• Increased clotting tendency of the blood

Arm Blood Clot Treatment

If you have blood clotting symptoms, you should consult a vein specialist. They will examine you and order an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the location and size of the clot and the danger it poses, they will select an appropriate treatment. The options available are:⁸

• Medicines to prevent blood clots from forming (anticoagulants)
• Medicines that dissolve blood clots (thrombolytics)
• Delivering clot-dissolving medicine to the clot (catheter thrombolysis)
• Surgery to remove a clot (thrombectomy)

Blood clots in the arm are less common than in the leg but carry the same dangers, including embolism to a vital organ and life-threatening complications. It’s best to start treatment before complications happen, so if you develop any of the danger signs, call for an ambulance or get someone to drive you to an emergency room. 

To learn more about venous diseases and their complications, visit the detailed, expert articles on My Vein Treatment. You can also use the vein specialist locator to find a specialist near you.

SOURCES: 

1. National Library of Medicine: “Blood Clots.” 
2. American Society of Hematology: “Blood Clots.“
3. American Society of Hematology: “Blood Clots.” 
4. National Library of Medicine: “Blood Clots.” 
5. National Health Service: “Blood clots.”  
6. National Health Service: “Varicose veins.”  
7. StatPearls: “Upper Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis.” 
8. American Society of Hematology: “Blood Clots.”