Here’s what you need to know about thrombosis

Did you know one in four people die of conditions related to thrombosis?

Wendy Lim, hematologist and professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, says that’s why it is incredibly important to prevent thrombosis, recognize the symptoms if it occurs and receive prompt and effective treatment for thrombotic disease.

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel—an artery or vein—which can slow or block the flow of blood.

When a blood clot blocks the flow of blood, it prevents oxygen from reaching the organ the vessel supplies, which can cause serious damage, explains Lim.

“If that vessel supplies organs, such as the brain or heart, a stroke or heart attack can develop,” she adds.

The symptoms of thrombosis depend on where the blood clot occurs.

The most common type of venous thrombosis is deep vein thrombosis, and most of these occur in the leg veins. Symptoms include leg pain, swelling and redness.

Lim says deep vein thrombosis can move to the blood vessels involved with lung circulation, which is called a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism usually include difficulty breathing or rapid breathing, chest pain and possibly coughing up blood.

“Preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, together known as venous thromboembolism, is done using low dose blood thinners or anticoagulants,” explains Lim.

Lim says it’s important for those at risk of venous thromboembolism, including people who are admitted to the hospital, those who have major surgery especially trauma surgery or joint replacement surgery and in some people with cancer, to recognize its signs and symptoms so they can seek medical attention.

Scientists at McMaster University are working to understand the mechanisms of thrombosis, inflammation and infection, with the goal of translating research into new and innovative therapies to improve the lives of the millions of people globally affected by thrombosis.