How to avoid venous thrombosis

October 13, 2023, is the tenth "World Thrombosis Day". It aims to improve the public's awareness of thrombotic diseases, improve disease prevention capabilities, enhance residents' awareness of scientific medical treatment, guide residents to rationally use medical resources, and improve thrombosis prevention. ability to promote the standardized diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic diseases.

If roads are clogged, traffic can be paralyzed; if blood vessels are clogged, the results can be fatal. In this long river of life, flows the blood that human beings depend on for survival. Thrombus, like a ghost wandering in the blood vessels, threatens people's health anytime and anywhere. Wherever it lingers, there is a blockage. Different locations of thrombus occurrence will lead to different pathological conditions in the human body. When thrombus occurs in the coronary arteries, lower limb arteries, and carotid arteries, it can cause emergencies such as acute myocardial infarction, acute lower limb arterial embolism, and ischemic stroke. When a blood clot appears in a deep vein, it will break off and enter the pulmonary artery with the blood flow, causing dangerous pulmonary embolism. This is venous thromboembolism, known as the "silent" killer.

Venous thromboembolism includes two stages: deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The former mostly occurs in the lower limbs, and is characterized by sudden swelling and pain in the affected limb, and an increase in skin temperature. In severe cases, it can lead to bruises on the thigh. However, no matter where the thrombus is located, there is a possibility that the thrombus may break off and cause pulmonary embolism. Once the venous thrombus breaks off, it will be carried by the blood flow through the heart to the pulmonary artery. Small thrombi can be completely dissolved and absorbed in the lungs, but when the thrombus clumps become larger and block the main pulmonary artery, sudden death may occur.

The "2019 Global Burden of Disease Study" report includes pulmonary embolism as an indirect cause of death in the disease burden analysis, further confirming that venous thromboembolism is an important global factor leading to death.

Where do "silent" killers come from?

There are three main causes of venous thromboembolism: vein wall damage, slow blood flow and blood hypercoagulability. Common causes include long-term bed rest due to various reasons (stroke, paralysis, lower limb surgery, etc.), smoking, fractures, etc. Traumatic factors as well as pregnancy, postpartum and malignancy and chemotherapy patients. For office workers, standing and sitting for long periods of time make them highly susceptible to this disease.

How to avoid venous thromboembolism?

In this regard, the advice given by vascular doctors is: if you move, you will not be able to "plug" it. Specifically, refuse to sit or stand for long periods of time, and move your body regularly to relax your mind and release pressure on your veins; drink more water to let the gurgling clear flow warm and moisten your dry blood vessels; circulate your feet, sit up straight, straighten your knees, and hook your legs. Toes, tighten, do it again... In addition, maintaining a light diet and getting enough sleep can also make blood vessels dance lightly and reduce the chance of illness.

Of course, for patients with venous thrombosis and high-risk groups, early intervention is the best prevention. remember! Vascular doctors are your strong backing.