Blood Clot Awareness |by Susan Halli Demeter
Blood Clot Awareness provides cardiovascular health care professionals with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge, and help patients better understand—and reduce—their risk. <!–split–>
Blood Clot Development When a blood vessel is damaged, the body responds to stop the bleeding by the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) of platelets, proteins, and blood cells. When bleeding stops and the body heals, the thrombus typically breaks down and is removed by the body. Sometimes, thrombi forms when they are not needed or do not dissolve as they should. This can cause a decrease or blockage in blood flow. When a thrombus or a piece of thrombus breaks off from where it is formed and travels to another part of the body where it blocks blood flow, it is called an embolism. An embolism is life-threatening and may cause a stroke, heart attack, or other complications. <!–split–>
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the development of blood clots in the veins. VTE is often undiagnosed but is often preventable. A Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the development of a clot inside a deep vein—often in the lower leg or thigh. This usually affects one side of the body. A DVT can cause serious illness, disability, or even death. A Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a clot that has traveled to the lungs. Clotting is not typically an isolated incident. Up to 30% of people who have had a blood clot will develop clots again within 10 years.
Blood Clots Can Kill Clots affect around 900,000 Americans each year and are the cause of death for as many as 100,000 individuals per year. There often is no warning for those who have clots—in fact, 1 in 4 people who have a PE die without warning. Blood Clot Prevention Healthcare professionals have a critical role to play in the prevention of clot formation by helping patients understand and reduce their risks. Risk factors that can increase the production of a thrombus:
- Major surgery
- Bone or joint surgery
- Fracture of a bone or joint
- Major injury
- Recent cancer diagnosis or treatment
- Sitting or lying down for long periods of time, such as with long-distance travel, bed rest, or hospitaliazation
- Pregnancy, recent childbirth
- Taking birth control pills or other hormones
- Family history of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder
Men and women of all ages and races can get blood clots. Age can play a role in increasing risk, as after 40, the risk doubles with each additional 10 years of age. For some patients, a prescription for an anticoagulant, compression stockings, intermittent compression devices, or surgery may be appropriate.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of VTE Shortness of breath for no reason; Fast breathing; Chest pain or tightness that may worsen with a deep breath; Fast pulse rate; Fast heartbeat; Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or weak; Fainting or blacking out; Cough, with or without producing blood; Pain extending to shoulder, arm, back, or jaw; Sudden weakness or numbness in face, arm, or leg; Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech; Sudden changes in vision; Changes in skin color—redness; Skin that feels warm or hot to the touch; Pain or tenderness—especially in the lower leg or calf.
Encourage smoking cessation, regular physical activity, and adherence to medication to decrease the development of clots.
Resources for Blood Clot Awareness and Beyond
[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Impact of Blood Clots on the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/infographic-impact.html. 2023. Accessed February 23, 2024.
[ii] American Heart Association. Who Is at Risk for Venous Thromboembolism? https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/answers-by-heart/who-is-at-risk-for-vte.pdf. 2023. Accessed February 26, 2024.
Your Parish Nurse, Kara