World Thrombosis Day - 13 October

What is VTE?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which a blood clot forms most often in the deep veins of the leg, groin, or arm (deep vein thrombosis) and travels in the circulation, lodging in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Together, DVT and PE are known as VTE - a dangerous, potentially deadly medical condition.

WHAT IS THROMBOSIS?

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel. The vessel may be any vein or artery as for example, in a deep vein thrombosis (venous), or a coronary artery (arterial). The clot itself is termed a thrombus.

Once formed, a clot can slow or block normal blood flow, and even break loose and travel to an organ. A clot that travels to the circulation is called an embolism. Thrombosis is the often preventable underlying pathology of heart attack, thromboembolic stroke, and venous thromboembolism (VTE), the top three cardiovascular killers.

Know Thrombosis: A Global Priority

Thrombosis does not discriminate. Clots can affect anyone regardless of location, age, ethnicity, or race. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from a life-threatening blood clot is to learn if you are at risk. Know the signs and symptoms and contact your health care professional immediately if needed.

In 2012, the World Health Assembly (WHA) set a global target to reduce premature deaths from non-infectious diseases - including cardiovascular disease - by 25 percent by 2025. To meet this goal, WTD and our partners believe that the WHA must directly address thrombosis, specifically VTE and AFib.

The ISTH and WTD steering committee continue to call for increased attention to thrombosis, first in a statement to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 68th World Health Assembly in 2015. Key to this effort is the inclusion of VTE as a specific cause of death in the WHO's next Global Burden of Disease study. Will you help?

Get involved sharing this information on your social media with the hashtags: #thrombosis #bloodclots #dvt #fistula #worldthrombosisday #bloodclot #thrombosisawareness #knowthrombosis #fissure#vte #medicine #pulmonaryembolism #trombosis #angiolog #deepveinthrombosis #healthylifestyle