Today we are raising awareness for Thrombosis, which is often overlooked and misunderstood. Thrombosis is a very common and deadly condition, in fact, there are more people who die each year from thrombosis than from AIDS, breast cancer, and automobile accidents combined.
Thrombosis can affect people at any age, however adults over the age of 60 are at a greater risk of developing it.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel which can restrict or stop normal blood flow, and even shift to another part of the body.
*Available tests to detect blood clots
• A blood test called a D-Dimer
• An ultrasound of the arm or leg to look for the DVT
• A CAT scan of the chest with intravenous dye to look for a PE
*Risk Factors
• Smoking.
• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Lack of activity and obesity.
• Poor diet.
• Family history of arterial thrombosis.
*Available medication
Individuals who are deemed ‘at-risk’ should be given appropriate prevention treatment, such as:
• Anti-clotting medications (e.g., blood thinners, referred to as “anticoagulants”)
• Mechanical devices (e.g., compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices or rapid inflation venous foot pumps)
Hospital patients may also be advised to do foot/leg exercises frequently.
Visit the World Thrombosis Day website to get a deeper understanding of the different types of Thrombosis, to access a plethora of resources, or to get involved in with WTD. https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/