WORLD Thrombosis Day is on October 13.
According to the World Thrombosis Day website, 25% of deaths worldwide are due to thrombosis-related causes. They state that the total number of annual thrombosis deaths in the United States and Europe is higher than the combined number of Aids, breast cancer and motor-vehicle crash fatalities. It is clear that thrombosis is a deadly condition which could affect you or someone you know.
Thrombosis refers to a blood clot that has formed in the arteries or deep veins of the body, usually in the legs or groin but also in the arms. This is known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and once formed, the clot can impede or block the blood flow to a limb or organ.
Sometimes a clot or thrombus can travel inside the blood vessel, travelling through the heart and into the small capillaries of the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). Thrombosis is often the underlying pathology of strokes, heart attacks and venous thromboembolism (VTE).
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Risk factors for developing thrombosis are sedentary behaviour due to long-distance travel, decreased mobility because of illness or recovery from injuries, some major surgeries, various cancer therapies, use of some oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapies, and a family history of thrombosis which could indicate a genetic blood-clotting disorder. Additionally, it is now well-known that clotting risks are elevated following Covid infection.
Symptoms could include unexplained or sudden swelling of a limb, redness and discomfort, warmth of the affected area, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and chest pain.
Once a medical professional is consulted, the diagnosis will be arrived at through a D-Dimer test, which measures specific levels in the blood, an ultrasound exam to test for clotting in the limbs or stomach, or a CAT scan of the chest to check for PE or clots lodged in the lungs.
Treatment is usually an anti-clotting medication, compression stockings, or an intravenous filter, which prevents clots from travelling to the heart and lungs.
The purpose of World Thrombosis Day is to raise awareness and educate the public about this life-threatening condition. To find out more, go to: www.worldthrombosisday.org
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