Tullamore Hospital lights up in red to highlight heart attacks, strokes

Thrombosis is the underlying cause of the world’s top three cardiovascular killers: heart attack,

stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is a life-threatening but preventable condition that

affects millions of people worldwide. One in four people who get a clot will die from it.

Blood Clots are preventable in many cases, very treatable if caught on time but potentially fatal if the signs are ignored.

Tullamore Hospital lit up the front entrance as part of the Thrombosis Ireland Awareness Campaign and are encouraging people to educate themselves on the signs of blood clots and act fast if they suspect a clot, which they say can happen to anyone, young or old.

Annmarie Kirwan, Clinical Nurse Specialist from the Anticoagulation Clinic at Tullamore Hospital says,  “Blood clots can be very serious and need to be treated quickly. While staying healthy and active can help prevent blood clots, people should seek medical help immediately if they have one or more of the following symptoms; swelling or pain in one leg or calf with associated warmth or redness in a leg, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest pain, which may be worse when you breathe in, or if you have a cough and are coughing up blood.”

Research has discovered you are more likely to get a clot if;

              You are admitted to the hospital and for 90 days after you go home

              Are pregnant or have had a baby less than 6 weeks ago

              Have active cancer or are receiving cancer treatment

              Have one or both legs immobilised, for example in a leg cast

              Are overweight or have a BMI greater than 30

Other factors which can heighten your risk of clots include increasing age, smoking, using oral contraception or having had a blood clot before.

Louisea Burke, Director of Nursing at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore says,  “If you do find yourself or a loved one are at risk of a clot there are steps you can take to stay well. For example, if you are in hospital – follow the advice of your health care professional about preventing clots. This may involve wearing stockings that improve your blood flow or taking medicine to reduce the risk of clots (anticoagulants). There are also things you can do to help avoid clots. Stay hydrated- drinking lots of water. Keep moving – even if you’re sick in bed, try to move your legs and feet every 90 minutes. You should also avoid sitting for long periods, smoking and drinking alcohol.”

Thrombosis Ireland founding member and Thrombosis Patient, Ann Marie O’Neill,  remarked: “We would like every person in Ireland to be aware of Thrombosis and know their risk and not to be afraid to ask for a blood clot risk assessment. We would like them to be informed of the signs & symptoms of a blood clot and to seek immediate action if they experience symptoms by, contacting their doctor.

For more information on Thrombosis Ireland, go to  www.thrombosis.ie