Blood Clot in a Vein

Picture of normal venous blood flow (cross-section)

Picture of a blood clot forming in a vein

Picture of a blood clot in a vein

Normally, one-way valves in the veins keep blood flowing up toward the heart.

But a blood clot can form around a valve in a vein.

If red blood cells become trapped around a valve, a blood clot might form. This blood clot can stop the flow of blood in that vein.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerJeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology
Last RevisedDecember 28, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: December 28, 2011
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology

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