What is the difference between Thrombosis and Embolism?

Red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelets, and plasma, are major constituents of the blood. However, when injuries occur in the blood vessels, there is the formation of a blood clot. A blood clot is a mass of coagulated red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a network of fibrin. The formation of a blood clot in the blood vessels can either be called thrombosis or embolisms depending on the nature of formation. A blood clot is produced during injuries to prevent the continuous flow of blood.

Thrombosis simply means when there is the formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, whether an artery or a vein, to prevent the flow of blood. Embolism, on the other hand, simply means when there is the formation of a blood clot in any part of the human body when a blood clot is carried by the bloodstream from its original place to form a blockage of another blood vessel.

Thrombosis and Embolism affect hundreds if not thousands of people yearly. These two conditions have a severe consequence on our health, which can be fatal if they are not correctly treated and identified accordingly. To be able to treat this problem, you must understand and know the differences between the two. Thrombosis refers to the formation of blood clots in the areas where clotting is not necessary. It can also be said to be a situation whereby there is a reduction in the flow of blood in the vein or artery whenever the body is injured in any way. Blood clots can form within blood vessels when it is not medically needed, and it is as a result of a change in the rate at which blood is flowing.

Thrombosis occurs mainly to people who are not liable to move freely. On the other hands, Embolism is a blockage in blood vessel through a blood clot can cause it but can still be as a result of other things like fat globules, air bubbles, gas bubbles or any other foreign objects that have been able to enter the bloodstream. Moreover, Embolism can be created artificially to serve some medical purposes like reducing the flow of blood to a cancerous tumor.