The clot may stay in one spot (called thrombosis) or move through the body (called embolism or thromboembolism). The clots that move are especially dangerous. Blood clots can form in arteries (arterial clots) or veins (venous clots).
What are the signs of a moving blood clot?
Signs of PE might include the following:
- Shortness of breath.
- A rapid heartbeat.
- Chest pain or discomfort that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
- Coughing up blood.
- Feeling lightheaded or faint.
- Feeling anxious or sweating.
- Fever.
- Having clammy or discolored skin.
How long does it take for a blood clot to move?
It's not something you feel instantly. A DVT or pulmonary embolism can take weeks or months to totally dissolve. Even a surface clot, which is a very minor issue, can take weeks to go away.
