Blood Clotting By Jake, Ayman, and Eric

How does blood clotting work? Platelets – a type of colorless cell fragment that lacks a nucleus, also known as thrombocytes Plasma – liquid component of blood, holds the blood cells, makes up of 55% of blood volume in the body Blood clotting occurs in the veins and arteries, and is also known as coagulation The damaged tissue cells release clotting factors, and these clotting factors set off a chain of reactions Fibrin strands are formed in order to form a semi-solid clot The body usually naturally dissolves the clot once the injury is healed In some situations, clots may form inside of vessels or are not dissolved naturally, which may require appropriate treatment

What is the purpose of blood clotting? Blood clots form when blood comes into contact with skin or blood vessel walls Stops bleedings Prevents pathogens from entering the blood flow Causes include: Smoking Pregnancy Certain Medications Genetics

What are the negative effects of blood clotting? The development of a blood clot in a vein is called venous thromboembolism(VTE),  and it is a serious, potentially fatal, medical condition. VTE is the collective term for deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in in one of the deep veins in the body, usually in one of the legs, and also pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. Effects of deep vein thrombosis: cramping pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in one of your legs Effects of pulmonary embolism: breathlessness,chest pain, fainting,or coughing up blood   Blood clotting in the coronary arteries can be fatal, as it can cause heart attacks. This condition is called Coronary Thrombosis.

Coronary Thrombosis Blood clots form in coronary arteries when deposits of plaque rapture. This can completely block coronary arteries Consequence: an are of the cardiac muscle receives no oxygen Heart stops beating in a coordinated way This is called a Heart Attack Blood clots form in coronary arteries when deposits of plaque rapture.  This can completely block coronary arteries  Consequence: an are of the cardiac muscle receives no oxygen  Heart stops beating in a coordinated way because the cardiac muscle cannot contract correctly anymore This is called a Heart Attack  The uncoordinated contraction is called fibrillation Sometimes the heart recovers Oftentimes, heart attacks are fatal