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Prevention
About thrombosis
Arterial thrombosis
A blood clot within an artery is known as an arterial thrombosis.
Arterial thrombosis is responsible for heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease (thrombosis in leg arteries).
Heart attacks and strokes are a major cause of death and serious illness. In the UK, 25 per cent of male deaths are due to a heart attack, while about 12 per cent of deaths are due to a stroke. Strokes are also the major cause of disability in the Western world.
The causes of arterial thrombosis
Arterial thrombosis usually affects individuals who
already have atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis
causes the walls of the arteries to 'fur up' with deposits of atheroma, a
porridge-like substance.
Atherosclerosis tends to develop in areas where the blood flow is more turbulent, for example where blood vessels branch off. It usually takes many years to build up.
However due to modern Western lifestyles, a child reaching his or her teenage years will already have signs of atherosclerosis in the major arteries.
This process is accelerated if the body is exposed to the major risk factors.
Atherosclerosis occurs more frequently as people become older and in those with a strong family history of the condition.
Download
our fact sheet about arterial thrombosis
(pdf format)
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© Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity 2003-2006. A
company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No: 4354472.
Registered Charity No: 1090540
