World Thrombosis Day
October 13, 2014
9 out of 10 Australians underestimate significance of one of the biggest killers. Leading organisations join forces to create greater awareness of the dangers of blood clots.
It is estimated that blood clots kill more than 40 Australians a day,*1-3 yet new findings** show the majority of Australians, nine out of 10, remain ignorant of the significant dangers of blood clots and do not consider them to be a major threat to life.4
These findings are released for the inaugural World Thrombosis Day ― Monday 13 October 2014 – with leading organisations the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ASTH) and the National Stroke Foundation joining forces to focus urgent attention on the dangers of blood clots. The goal is to educate on the need to be vigilant of risk factors and to know the signs and symptoms.
A blood clot – more technically known as a thrombus – can form at any age.5 They form in arteries and veins3 and are responsible for the top three cardiovascular killers: heart attack, many strokes and venous thromboembolism (VTE).6
“Blood clots are a critical health issue that is overlooked and misunderstood – but this urgently needs to change due to their widespread and devastating impact on our health,” states Professor Hatem Salem, Emeritus Professor of Haematology and previous Head of the Academic Department of Clinical Haematology at Monash University. “While clots play a critical role protecting the body from excessive bleeding when tissue damage has occurred, for various reasons such as family history, hospitalisation, trauma / surgery or immobility, dangerous blood clots can form in the body and in many instances can prove deadly.”
Three blood clots of significance are:-
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) where a clot forms usually in the deep veins of the legs, thighs or pelvis. Around 6,500 Australians are estimated to develop a DVT each year.1
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) where a clot breaks off from a DVT and travels to the lungs where it can be fatal. Over 8,000 Australians are estimated to experience a PE each year.1
Stroke which usually results from a clot forming in an artery leading to the brain.3 Around 51,000 Australians will suffer a new or recurrent stroke annually.2
The latest data shows that 14,000 Australians are estimated to develop a DVT/PE each year – approximately 5,000 of these cases result in death.1
The World Thrombosis Day survey also found just one in three (34%) Australians have actually heard of “deep vein thrombosis (DVT)” and only three out of one hundred (3%) have heard of “pulmonary embolism (PE)””. The majority (86%) would not know what they could expect to feel if they were to experience a pulmonary embolism (PE).4
Nearly two in three (63%) Australians view flying to be a risk factor for blood clots but there are other factors that increase the risk more. Just over one third (39%) correctly ranked surgery as a risk― hospital patients are in fact at a 25 times greater risk of developing a clot than healthy people taking a flight.7 Overall, blood clots are one of the most common avoidable causes of hospital death in Western populations.8
Risk factors contributing to DVT and PE include surgery, trauma and leg injury, pregnancy, hormone therapy and long-haul flights.1
“We need to make blood clots and thrombosis an important health issue alongside heart attacks and diabetes,” states Professor Hatem Salem. “Most of my patients believe that if they are going to develop a clot, it will be from travelling from Sydney to Melbourne. However, while blood clots can be scary, the majority are avoidable – and we need much greater awareness and understanding of the risk factors – particularly for those heading to hospital related to a trauma/ leg injury, having surgery or being immobile for a significant period of time,” adds Professor Hatem Salem.
National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Dr Erin Lalor has reiterated the need for greater awareness among Australians of their risk of blood clots:
“Four out of five strokes are ischaemic or caused by blood clots and there will be more than 50,000 strokes in Australia this year. Shockingly many of these strokes are preventable,” Dr Lalor said.
People simply do not know enough about stroke, their stroke risk or the simple steps that can be taken to reduce that risk.”
Additional survey results:4
One third (34%) of Australians are not aware of the fatal risk of DVT /PE if untreated.
Australians believe that DVTs and PEs are caused by lack of exercise/movement (65%), flying on an aeroplane (63%) and being overweight or obese (59%).
Seven in ten (68%) Australians highlighted exercise and movement can help reduce the risk of getting a blood clot.
Common symptoms of DVT, PE and Stroke:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)9 Pulmonary Embolism (PE)9,10 Stroke11
Swelling Unexplained shortness of
Face – Check their face. Has
Pain and tenderness breath their mouth drooped?
A change in skin colour Chest pain
Arms – Can they lift both
Redness Rapid heart rate arms?
Coughing blood
Speech – Is their speech
Light-headedness or passing out slurred? Do they understandyou?
Time – Time is critical.
For more information on DVT, PE or stroke, or if you are concerned about the risk factors, please consult your GP.
It is estimated that blood clots kill more than 40 Australians a day,*1-3 yet new findings** show the majority of Australians, nine out of 10, remain ignorant of the significant dangers of blood clots and do not consider them to be a major threat to life.4
These findings are released for the inaugural World Thrombosis Day ― Monday 13 October 2014 – with leading organisations the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ASTH) and the National Stroke Foundation joining forces to focus urgent attention on the dangers of blood clots. The goal is to educate on the need to be vigilant of risk factors and to know the signs and symptoms.
A blood clot – more technically known as a thrombus – can form at any age.5 They form in arteries and veins3 and are responsible for the top three cardiovascular killers: heart attack, many strokes and venous thromboembolism (VTE).6
“Blood clots are a critical health issue that is overlooked and misunderstood – but this urgently needs to change due to their widespread and devastating impact on our health,” states Professor Hatem Salem, Emeritus Professor of Haematology and previous Head of the Academic Department of Clinical Haematology at Monash University. “While clots play a critical role protecting the body from excessive bleeding when tissue damage has occurred, for various reasons such as family history, hospitalisation, trauma / surgery or immobility, dangerous blood clots can form in the body and in many instances can prove deadly.”
Three blood clots of significance are:-
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) where a clot forms usually in the deep veins of the legs, thighs or pelvis. Around 6,500 Australians are estimated to develop a DVT each year.1
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) where a clot breaks off from a DVT and travels to the lungs where it can be fatal. Over 8,000 Australians are estimated to experience a PE each year.1
Stroke which usually results from a clot forming in an artery leading to the brain.3 Around 51,000 Australians will suffer a new or recurrent stroke annually.2
The latest data shows that 14,000 Australians are estimated to develop a DVT/PE each year – approximately 5,000 of these cases result in death.1
The World Thrombosis Day survey also found just one in three (34%) Australians have actually heard of “deep vein thrombosis (DVT)” and only three out of one hundred (3%) have heard of “pulmonary embolism (PE)””. The majority (86%) would not know what they could expect to feel if they were to experience a pulmonary embolism (PE).4
Nearly two in three (63%) Australians view flying to be a risk factor for blood clots but there are other factors that increase the risk more. Just over one third (39%) correctly ranked surgery as a risk― hospital patients are in fact at a 25 times greater risk of developing a clot than healthy people taking a flight.7 Overall, blood clots are one of the most common avoidable causes of hospital death in Western populations.8
Risk factors contributing to DVT and PE include surgery, trauma and leg injury, pregnancy, hormone therapy and long-haul flights.1
“We need to make blood clots and thrombosis an important health issue alongside heart attacks and diabetes,” states Professor Hatem Salem. “Most of my patients believe that if they are going to develop a clot, it will be from travelling from Sydney to Melbourne. However, while blood clots can be scary, the majority are avoidable – and we need much greater awareness and understanding of the risk factors – particularly for those heading to hospital related to a trauma/ leg injury, having surgery or being immobile for a significant period of time,” adds Professor Hatem Salem.
National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Dr Erin Lalor has reiterated the need for greater awareness among Australians of their risk of blood clots:
“Four out of five strokes are ischaemic or caused by blood clots and there will be more than 50,000 strokes in Australia this year. Shockingly many of these strokes are preventable,” Dr Lalor said.
People simply do not know enough about stroke, their stroke risk or the simple steps that can be taken to reduce that risk.”
Additional survey results:4
One third (34%) of Australians are not aware of the fatal risk of DVT /PE if untreated.
Australians believe that DVTs and PEs are caused by lack of exercise/movement (65%), flying on an aeroplane (63%) and being overweight or obese (59%).
Seven in ten (68%) Australians highlighted exercise and movement can help reduce the risk of getting a blood clot.
Common symptoms of DVT, PE and Stroke:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)9 Pulmonary Embolism (PE)9,10 Stroke11
Swelling Unexplained shortness of
Face – Check their face. Has
Pain and tenderness breath their mouth drooped?
A change in skin colour Chest pain
Arms – Can they lift both
Redness Rapid heart rate arms?
Coughing blood
Speech – Is their speech
Light-headedness or passing out slurred? Do they understandyou?
Time – Time is critical.
For more information on DVT, PE or stroke, or if you are concerned about the risk factors, please consult your GP.