CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found up to 40% of COVID-19 patients develop blood clots or pulmonary embolisms that can be fatal if not treated.
Dr. Richard Becker is a cardiologist and professor of medicine at UC’s medical school. Dr. Becker said it’s not clear why some patients are developing the clots and typical preventative treatments, such as blood thinners, are not working. Dr. Becker said more research needs to be done to determine which treatments will prevent the clots in COVID-19 patients.
“It’s concerning, but we also believe knowledge is power,” Dr. Becker said.
Patients with pre-existing conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, are more at risk for complications because of coronavirus. But Dr. Becker said research is showing some otherwise healthy patients have contracted deep vein thrombosis, more commonly known as blood clots and pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that develops in the leg and travels up the leg to the lungs. Pulmonary embolisms can be fatal.
“We and others have seen young and otherwise healthy individuals with COVID-19, and some of them have been asymptomatic, who have experienced strokes, deep vein thrombosis — that is a blood clot in the legs — and pulmonary embolism.”
Oddly enough, Dr. Becker said with COVID-19, some blood clots are actually developing in the lungs rather than traveling through the leg to the lungs.
Dr. Becker said patients need to be aware of the symptoms of blood clots and stroke and seek treatment. Some hospitals have reported patients avoiding treatment for fear of contracting COVID-19. Symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Pain, swelling or redness in the legs
Difficulty with speech
Facial droop
“Our hospitals are safe, so people cannot wait and wonder. They need to take action when they experience symptoms,” Dr. Becker said.
