Blood clots are the main cause of death of one in four people throughout the world. Also known as thrombosis, blood clotting is among the health conditions with which people are not as familiar as they are with other health issues like hypertension, prostate and breast cancer, and AIDS. Moreover, only a small percentage of people know that this health complication can be averted.
What Happens during Thrombosis?
Blood clotting is known to lead to strokes, heart attacks, and venous thromboembolism, a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the legs’ deep veins that can travel through the circulatory system and lodge in the lungs. Despite the fact that it can be fatal, this serious health concern may be prevented. This being said, the major symptoms of it should never be neglected. Some of them are shortness of breath, dizziness, fast pulse, chest ache, and coughing blood.
How to Avert Venous Thromboembolism?
A lot of VTE cases can be averted by knowing the most common risk factors associated with it like:
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Immobility for a prolonged period of time
- Cancer
- Taking birth control pills or hormone-replacement therapy
- Some genetic conditions like Factor V Leiden
Here are some useful tips on how to minimize the chance for VTE:
- Stay proactive; for example, if you are having surgery, make sure you consult your doctors for a VTE risk assessment or ask whether you are a suitable candidate for blood thinner meds
- Consult your physician on how to best lower your chances for this health problem
What Happens with VTE Survivors?
This health-related complication may lead to chronic disability in those who have non-fatal clots in the lungs or legs. PTS or post-thrombotic syndrome is a painful and a disabling clot-related problem in the deep veins of the legs. It manifests through chronic ache and swollenness in the legs after prolonged standing and may also contribute to the formation of skin ulcers. It may lower one’s quality of life and restrict the capacity to work.
Lung blood clots, particularly recurrent ones, may lead to chronic pulmonary hypertension, a condition during which the lung artery pressure is constantly high and it is characterized through signs like shortness of breath while working out or poor heart function. This may often restrict the sufferer’s activity and surgery may also be required.
Do not miss out the video below if you want to learn more about this rather common health issue:
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