Up to 600,000 people in the United States will develop a blood clot this year, and about 100,000 people will die from their blood clots, according to the National Blood Clot Alliance. Recent scientific modeling suggests that this number may be as high as 900,000 people.

If it’s not staggering enough that 274 people die each day from blood clots, what’s more frightening is that - while some clots are completely asymptomatic - most have telltale signs that would get the sufferer treatment in time to save a life and prevent permanent damage.

Blood clots occur every day, for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, these clots are a response to a cut or other injury and are beneficial; they stop the body from bleeding out from a minor injury.

However, in some cases, blood clots can develop internally in dangerous locations, including in an extremity, the heart, or the lungs. In these areas, they require immediate medical attention to prevent potentially life-threatening consequences.

Know Your Risks

While blood clots can arise unexpectedly, there are many things that can put you at an increased risk, according to Mayo Clinic. Among the risks that they outline:

●    Hospitalization that requires extended periods of bed rest

●    Major surgeries - including surgeries in the pelvis, abdomen, hip, or knee, or hip or knee replacement surgery

●    Damage to a vein, which may be the result of a broken bone or serious muscle injury

●    Certain cancers and treatments