Lifeblood

About thrombosis

Thrombosis has been – and remains – a major cause of death in the United Kingdom yet astonishingly, this fact is not widely known. Most people have little or no understanding about the causes and effects of thrombosis, and how it can be prevented. Every year, an estimated 25,000 people in England die from venous thrombosis (also called venous thromboembolism or VTE) contracted in hospital. Most people affected by thrombosis are older, but anyone can suffer from thrombosis, occasionally even children and babies.

Some facts about thrombosis:

• Up to one in every 1,000 are affected by venous thrombosis in the UK each year
• Up to one in ten people who suffer a pulmonary embolism will die if not treated
• Around one in every 1,000 women develops thrombosis during pregnancy, which can lead to related long-term health problems
• One in three surgical patients can develop a DVT if no preventative measures are given
• Venous thromboembolism – or VTE – is the most common cause of hospital deaths in the UK that can be prevented
  

Thrombosis can happen to you, your family, your friends or colleagues. Thrombosis is often a ‘silent’ medical condition with no obvious signs or symptoms. It doesn’t discriminate and can affect people of any age or sex. It can very easily be confused with less serious conditions – a clot in the leg can be mistaken for a sore leg muscle. But thrombosis is a leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, yet most people have little or no understanding about its causes and effects and how it can be prevented.

To help you understand more, this section of the website tells you all about thrombosis - what causes clots, their effects on you, how clots can be prevented and treated, and the action the Government is taking to prevent thrombosis. Click on the links to the left.