Difference Between Blood Clot and Embolism

Differences Blood Clot Embolism

Embolus and thrombus both refer to the same thing: a clot in the blood. In both cases, the constituent parts include adipose tissue, platelets, amniotic fluid, a tumour, air, or alien bodies. When a blood clot or embolus forms, it does so inside the circulatory system.

Emboli are not the same as thrombosis (the development of a blood clot). Yet, both are characterised by a blood clot. A thrombus forms inside the blood vessel. Hence, the blood vessel's ability to transport blood is impaired. Embolus fragments or other foreign or foreign-like substances can cause embolism when they become stuck in a blood artery. Because of this, blood flow is restricted.

What is Blood Clot?

A blood clot, also known as a thrombus, is a mass of coagulated blood that has adhered to the inside of a blood vessel.

Pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome are two major sequelae of thrombosis. The latter occurs when unpleasant symptoms persist for an extended period of time.

A blood clot is a mass of blood that has thickened and coagulated to stop bleeding after an injury or wound. Blood clots form naturally to prevent bleeding, but if a blood clot occurs within a blood vessel, it can restrict the flow of blood to other parts of the body. This can lead to a number of serious health conditions, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and stroke.

A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel is known as a thrombus. Thrombi can be a temporary or permanent blockage and may grow larger or move to other parts of the body. Factors that can increase the risk of developing a blood clot include genetics, inactivity, injury, surgery, and certain medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

What is Embolism?

An embolism is a blockage that occurs when a blood clot or other material becomes dislodged from its original location and travels to another part of the body through the bloodstream. This can restrict the flow of blood to the organs and tissues and cause serious health problems, including stroke, heart attack, and PE.

There are several types of embolisms, including air embolism, fat embolism, and amniotic fluid embolism. The most common type of embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a blood vessel.

Heart rhythm disturbances, abrupt cardiac death, lung tissue death (pulmonary infarction), shock, pulmonary hypertension, and paradoxical embolism are all possible outcomes.

Differences: Blood Clot and Embolism

The following table highlights the major differences between Blood Clot and Embolism −

Characteristics	Blood Clot	Embolism
Definition	An immobile clump of blood inside a blood vessel. A clot in the blood is a mass that doesn't move. When a blood artery or bodily tissue is damaged, a blood clot forms. Smoking cigarettes, having high cholesterol levels, having high blood sugar levels, having cancer, being overweight or obese, experiencing anxiety or depression, and leading a sedentary lifestyle are all risk factors for the formation of blood clots.	A thrombus fragment that has broken off and is now moving around the bloodstream. The bulk of an embolus is unbound. In the event that the embolus is larger than the blood vessel's inside diameter, it will lodge in the blood vessel.
Classification	Venous blood clot (formed in a vein) and Arterial blood clot (formed in an artery)	Arterial embolism and venous embolism.
Types	Blood clot in arteries or heart / Arterial thrombosis Blood clot in veins or Venous thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – development of a blood clot in a vein located deep inside the body	Pulmonary embolism – A complication that arises when a piece of thrombus blocks the pulmonary artery or its branches Brain embolism – An obstruction in the supply of blood to part of the brain caused by debris (embolus) or a blood clot Retinal embolism – blocked arteries in the retina of an eye
Symptoms	Warmth to the touch Redness Inflammation Ischemic stroke Unstable angina Peripheral arterial limb ischemia Heart attack	Anxiety Dizziness Irregular breathing Sharp chest pain Increased or irregular heartbeat Excessive sweating Shortness of breath that may occur suddenly Cool and numb limbs Confusion Tingling, numbness, or pain in the muscles Feeling of weakness Dry cough, possibly with blood, or blood and mucus Clammy or discoloured skin (cyanosis)
Causes	Immobility, and Genetic errors in the clotting mechanism Also, a clot can develop more easily when a person − Has malignancy Has blood sugar Has depression and anxiety Uses tobacco Has an inactive lifestyle Has high cholesterol Is overweight and has obesity	Injury or damage (muscle tears, bone fractures leading to clots) Inactivity – (due to sitting for a lengthy trip or lying in bed recovering from an illness) Medical conditions (Several health conditions can result in blood clot formation. Also, some treatments such as chemotherapy for cancer, can also cause blood clots) If the clot breaks free from the site, it may result in blockage in other parts of the body. Other causes of embolism include endocarditis, mitral stenosis, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation.
Source	Thrombus aka blood clot is always caused by constituents of blood such as cellular items, fibrins, and platelets.	Ninety nine percent of embolus originate from blood clot (thrombus). Others happen due to fat, air, and infectious particles.
Pathology	Thrombus (blood clot) impedes blood vessels, resulting thrombosis.	The lodging of an embolus in the blood vessels of the lungs, brain or heart can be fatal
Treatment	Anticoagulants (medications that help prevent blood clots) and compression socks are used to avoid formation of blood clots.	Painkillers, Anticoagulants (blood thinners like warfarin and heparin), painkillers, antiplatelet medications, thrombolytics, and surgery are used to avoid embolus.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between a blood clot and an embolism is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment plan and avoiding serious health complications. Blood clots and embolisms are two separate medical conditions that require different types of treatment and care.

Vineet Nanda

Updated on: 30-Mar-2023

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