Clotting within the blood is a obligatory characteristic within the physique to forestall extreme bleeding.

However, clots that don't dissolve naturally themselves are a possible hazard.

This is as a result of they will break free and journey to important organs within the physique, blocking blood provide to them.

In some instances they will trigger heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolisms - all life-threatening emergencies.

Luckily there are methods to minimise the probability of creating a clot.

Like many medical circumstances, diet is one such means.

Dietitian and chief science officer at Field Doctor, Sasha Watkins, spoke with Express.co.uk about how food regimen can be utilized to decrease your threat for blood clots.

“It’s important to acknowledge that while there are some foods you can eat more of, as well as others you can avoid, to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot, there are several other risk factors that can increase your risk of developing a blood clot, which outweigh any changes implemented to your diet,” she stated.

“We know there is a link between inflammation and clotting – as inflammation decreases the activity of natural anticoagulant mechanisms – so foods that reduce inflammation should be at the front of your mind when considering our diet.

“When looking at our diet specifically, it is clear there needs to be more research into the connection between different foods and inflammation, however, studies have shown that following a Mediterranean diet can protect against conditions linked to inflammation.

“The Mediterranean diet consists of a wide variety of foods, mostly of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and fish.

“So, if you fall into the category of being at high risk for blood clots, it’s a simple diet to follow.

“For those who are at a greater risk of developing a blood clot, eating foods that contain flavonoids can also be beneficial in reducing the risk of a clot – as they decrease inflammation.”

She particularly really useful consuming extra of three kinds of meals - “all of which are commonly found in a Mediterranean diet” - because of this:

Examples of complete grains in meals embody:

• Quinoa
• Whole grain pasta
• Whole grain bread
• Whole oats or oatmeal
• Whole grain brown or wild rice.

She additionally really useful shedding weight if you're thought of chubby to decrease your threat for blood clots.

“It’s well researched that being overweight can put you at an increased risk of clotting, so following a diet which encourages weight loss and lowering your BMI can help reduce your risk,” Sasha stated.

She added: “Some other risk factors which can increase people’s risk of clotting include physical inactivity, pregnancy, certain medication such as birth control pills, or genetics – so it’s important to keep in mind that diet alone can not lower or raise the risk of blood clots.”

According to the NHS, signs of a blood clot can embody:

• Throbbing or cramping ache, swelling, redness and heat in a leg or arm
• Sudden breathlessness, sharp chest ache (could also be worse if you breathe in)
• A cough or coughing up blood.

If you expertise any of those signs it's best to name 111.

However, should you're struggling to breathe or somebody has handed out it's best to name 999.