Stop the clot World Thrombosis Day

The National Stroke Foundation is urging Australians to be aware of their blood clot risk this World Thrombosis Day.

National Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Erin Lalor said nine out of 10 Australians remain ignorant of the dangers of blood clots and do not think they are a threat to life.

“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,’’ Dr Lalor said.

“As a result of these strokes around one-third of suffers will survive and another third will be left with an ongoing disability. However it doesn’t have to be this way, many strokes are preventable.

“People simply do not know enough about stroke, their stroke risk or the simple steps that can be taken to reduce that risk.”

National Stroke Foundation Clinical Council Member A/Prof Timothy Kleinig said a blood clot – more technically known as a thrombosis – could strike at any age.

“Blood clots form in the heart, arteries and veins and are responsible for the top three cardiovascular killers: stroke, heart attack and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Risk factors for venous thrombosis include smoking, being overweight, surgery, trauma and leg injury, pregnancy, hormone therapy, dehydration and long-haul flights,’’ A/Prof Kleinig said.

“An ischaemic stroke results from a clot lodging in an artery supplying blood  to the brain. There is one stroke in Australia every 10 minutes.”

Dr Lalor said Australians need to know more about clots and their subsequent stroke risk. 

“Too many families continue to be devastated by strokes that may have been prevented. Their loved ones may have been saved by making simple lifestyle changes or treating related chronic conditions,’’ Dr Lalor said.

To coincide with World Thrombosis Day, the National Stroke Foundation is calling for a Federal Government funded accessible, affordable integrated health check program to detect the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease or type 2 diabetes at general practitioners nationally.

“Australians need for a nationally consistent integrated health check at GPs that will detect those at risk before a life-threatening emergency strikes,’’ Dr Lalor said.

“An integrated health check is the best way to find out your risk of having a stroke by taking into account all risk factors, instead of each one individually.

“The Federal Government must fund the implementation of a nationally consistent program. The sooner GPs routinely offer an integrated health check, the earlier they can act to prevent a life-threatening event.”

For more on World Thrombosis Day