A coagulation profile helps assess the speed and consistency of blood clotting. Your doctor can prescribe these tests to determine your risk of excessive bleeding or the occurrence of clots (thrombosis) in one of your blood arteries. When you cut yourself clotting is what prevents excessive bleeding. Your blood doesn't clot as it flows through your veins. However, these clots have the potential to develop and move through your bloodstream to your heart, lungs, or brain and result in heart attack, stroke or even death.