Blood clotting: how does blood clotting work?
Blood clotting is an essential bodily mechanism that ensures that blood clots as quickly as possible. Without this, a person would quickly become dehydrated and die. Blood clotting is a complex process controlled by platelets and proteins in the blood. When bleeding occurs, platelets travel to the wound to stop the bleeding. They combine with other substances in the blood, such as fibrin, to form a network that covers and seals the wound. This network serves as a kind of bandage, protecting the wound and aiding the healing process. Blood clotting is a life-saving process that prevents dehydration and death after an injury. However, it is also possible for blood to clot too much, which can lead to thrombosis or a stroke. For this reason, people at increased risk of thrombosis should monitor their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Blood clotting in three phases
Blood clotting occurs in three distinct phases. These phases clearly describe the blood clotting process.
Primary phase of blood clotting
During this primary phase of clotting, the body's blood vessels and platelets work closely together. When a wound occurs, the damaged blood vessels constrict, causing platelets in the blood to adhere to the wound. These adhered platelets form a fragile internal crust that stops the bleeding.
Secondary phase blood clotting
During the secondary phase of coagulation, the fragile internal crust is strengthened with the help of clotting factors. This creates a firm crust that allows the blood vessel to heal easily. This process is necessary because during the primary phase, blood clotting wasn't yet strong enough to allow the wound to heal.
Fibrinolysis
The final stage of clotting ensures that the blood vessel fully heals. During this stage, the body's own substances break down the internal crust, allowing the last section of the blood vessel to heal. This is also the point at which the crust falls off.
Clotting disorder: What is a blood clotting disorder?
Unfortunately, it can happen that someone suffers from a clotting disorder . In this case, blood clotting isn't functioning optimally because one of the clotting factors is disrupted. With this disorder, bleeding persists longer and wounds heal less effectively and efficiently.
