Final answer:
A blood clot within an intact blood vessel is called a thrombus. It is an aggregation that can partially or fully block blood flow, causing increased blood pressure, and if dislodged, can lead to an embolus, resulting in dangerous conditions like heart attack or stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
A blood clot within an intact blood vessel is called a thrombus. A thrombus consists of an aggregation of platelets, erythrocytes (red blood cells), white blood cells, and a network of fibrin protein strands. While some degree of clot formation is a normal part of the hemostatic process to prevent bleeding, thrombi can be problematic if they form within intact or slightly damaged vessels, potentially leading to conditions like deep vein thrombosis.
Thrombophilia, or hypercoagulation, refers to a predisposition to form thrombi and can be either genetic or acquired through conditions such as autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, or obesity. A thrombus can lead to an obstruction of blood flow, causing a local increase in blood pressure, and necessitating the heart to work harder.
When a portion of a thrombus dislodges and enters the bloodstream, it becomes an embolus. This embolus can travel and become lodged in a critical blood vessel, leading to life-threatening conditions like heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism, which are medical emergencies.