Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots

Injections of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID vaccine have been temporarily halted across the country after the emergence of cerebral venous thrombosis, a rare blood clotting disease, in six recipients. All six recipients were women between the ages of 18 and 48 and all developed the illness within one to three weeks of vaccination. While this clotting disorder is extraordinarily rare, blood clots are not. Between 300,000 and 600,000 people develop blood clots each year in the U.S.

Anyone can develop a blood clot, though there are some conditions and medication that increase your risk. Pregnancy, air travel, birth control, dehydration, smoking, obesity and recent surgery are all risk factors for blood clots. Symptoms of a clot include:

• Swelling, usually in one leg or arm
• Leg pain or tenderness, often described as a cramp or charley horse
• Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
• Leg or arm warm to touch
• Trouble breathing, which could include a cough or chest pain. If you have this symptom, call 911 for help immediately.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or call 911.