7 Silent Blood Clot Symptoms to Watch Out For
What is a blood clot?
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Blood clots normally form after an injury to protect your body from losing too much blood, but they can also develop in an artery or vein even if there is no obvious injury. Complications can occur if it doesn't dissolve naturally or if you don't get treatment. The signs and symptoms of a blood clot differ depending on where it is—in the heart, brain, arm, leg, lung, or abdomen. Some of these symptoms are common in other health issues, so always consult with your doctor, and keep in mind that it's not uncommon for clots to cause no symptoms at all. That being said, it's important to know the silent signs and symptoms of blood clots to watch out for.
Leg cramps
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People who have experienced a blood clot in the leg say they've felt cramps or pain similar to a charley horse. A blood clot that forms in a major vein, often in the lower limbs, is called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it can cause leg aches, pain, and cramping. The clots can develop slowly or appear suddenly, specifically after a prolonged time in a sitting or cramped position, like on a long-distance flight.
"Ignoring a blood clot in the leg for even a day can end up in a pulmonary embolism, which is much more dangerous," according to Kristine Arthur, MD, an internist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. A pulmonary embolism can occur if a portion of the clot in the legs breaks off and travels to the lungs. About 1 in 3 people with DVT will have a pulmonary embolism, which is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.
Back pain
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Back pain might not seem like one of the likely blood clot symptoms, but it can be an indication that a blood clot is present in the pelvic area or in the inferior vena cava, which is the major abdominal vein. According to the American College of Cardiology, 2.6 to 4% of people with DVT have inferior vena cava thrombosis. Although blood clot-related back pain seems to be one of the more rare symptoms, these types of clots can result in permanent damage if not treated, as they cut off blood to the extremities. If you experience this along with other blood clot symptoms, contact your doctor.
Discolored skin
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A blood clot disrupts normal blood flow, and it can result in discolored skin. If an area of one leg appears to be red or has a different color in any way, a blood clot is one possible cause. This symptom should be checked by your doctor, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Skin is warm to the touch
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Another common blood clot symptom is a variation in temperature where the clot is suspected. Much like the discoloration, this is caused by a disruption of blood flow. If this temperature variation continues and you have a history of increased risk of blood clots, call your doctor. Usually, these three symptoms appear together: Warm skin, leg cramps, and discolored skin.
Swelling
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Swelling in the arm, hand, foot, ankle, or leg is one of the most common signs of a blood clot, according to the CDC. Blood clots are only one of the reasons why a body part may suddenly feel swollen.
Excessive sweating
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When paired with other symptoms, excessive sweating can be one of the blood clot symptoms you shouldn't ignore, located in either the lung or heart. These are very serious types of blood clots that should be treated immediately as a medical emergency.
Shortness of breath
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A pulmonary embolism, when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the lung, can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Another lesser-known symptom of a blood clot in the lungs is back pain. In some cases, people with a pulmonary embolism may have a drop in blood pressure and pass out, or they may even cough up blood.
These symptoms are a medical emergency, but any clot symptoms should be taken seriously and investigated by your doctor. In addition to prolonged sitting, other risk factors for DVT and clot formation are injuries, including fractures and major surgery; chronic conditions, like heart and lung disease; confinement to a bed; pregnancy; and hormone use, such as birth control pills.
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Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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The best board games to play (and gift) this summer
Over the holiday period, the right game can make all the difference. So which board games should you try out – and which ones should you gift?
1. Sushi Go Party
This colourful, fast-paced game has great art, and a "menu" that can be changed depending on the number of players (up to eight) and their familiarity with the game.
Players win the game by creating the best combination of cards, depending on what's available, by rotating the cards from player to player like a sushi train. It's easy to learn and relatively cheap.
2. Wavelength
In this party game, teams have to try and guess the location of a hidden target on a spectrum, using a clue from one "psychic" team member. The ends of the spectrum reflect two binaries, such as hot–cold or optional–mandatory, and the target falls somewhere in between.
The closer the team gets to where the psychic thinks the target should go, the more points they score. Wavelength is one of those games where no matter if your team gets it right or wrong, you can expect people to give their two cents.
3. Mysterium and Mysterium Park
In these team games, players play mediums seeking the counsel of another player – a ghost – who gives them clues to important information about murders in the house, including the ghost’s own murder.
The ghost offers the other players tarot cards with abstract artwork with which they must attempt to discern the murder weapon, location and culprit.
4. The Quacks of Quedlinburg
This game sees players take the role of potion makers at the local fair, who must push their luck by drawing ingredients out of a bag to make the best potions without them blowing up in their face. It’s simple to teach and hilarious when someone else blows up their cauldron (although arguably less when it’s you).
5. Modern Art
This is one of the most celebrated games from board game designer luminary Reiner Knizia. Players are art dealers auctioning off beautiful paintings done by five professional artists. Players might even forget to play as they get caught up in simply admiring the pieces they are auctioning off.
Modern Art remains a fiendishly clever game that is easy to learn but hard to master.
6. Heat: Pedal to the Metal
This strategic racing game is based on 1960s Formula 1 racing. The base game boasts four tracks on two gorgeous boards, and lovely little cars that pass each other and risk spinning out around corners.
7. Nemesis
By far the most expensive (and complicated) game on this list, Nemesis can best be described as Alien: the board game.
Players have to move through a spaceship, discovering rooms and items as they go, taking care not to alert the horrific extraterrestrials that have managed to get onto the ship – represented by amazingly designed pieces. It’s a truly tense and fun experience for a full afternoon.
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Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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