- Blood Clots

Thank you for completing the formal application to the National Blood Clot Alliance VTE Center of Excellence. We appreciate your dedication to excellence in VTE care.

Our team will carefully review your application and will be in touch with you soon regarding the next steps in the process.

Thank you again for your commitment to advancing VTE excellence.

Warm regards,

Erin VanDyke, PA-C
Vice President, NBCA Centers of Excellence

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Erin VanDyke Appointed as VP of NBCA’s VTE Centers of Excellence™

The National Blood Clot Alliance, the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis, and successful …

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Ken Counihan of Cleveland, Ohio was a 62-year-old

Ken Counihan of Cleveland, Ohio was a 62-year-old runner who had no known blood clot risk factors (other than his age) when he nearly died of a pulmonary embolism in 2022. His Apple Watch tipped him off that he had low blood oxygen levels, prompting him to seek quick care.

Ken tells his story in the latest edition of Parade. Hear how Dr. Leben Tefera from the Cleveland Clinic, a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis (CERT), helped Ken through his ordeal.

Read the piece at the link in bio.

@parademag #stoptheclot #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #smartwatch #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteduccation #parademagazine #CERT

Are you or a loved one facing a hospital stay soon

Are you or a loved one facing a hospital stay soon? It’s crucial to know that hospital stays—especially for surgery, trauma, or a serious illness like cancer—can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening blood clots.

Here are key risk factors for hospital-associated blood clots:

- Pregnancy
- Cancer and its treatments
- Personal or family history of blood clots
- Birth control or hormone therapy with estrogen
- Smoking
- Overweight
- Age 55 or older
- Long-term diseases such as heart and lung conditions or diabetes

Learn more about hospital-associated blood clots and how to prevent them at our next PEP Talk on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #bloodclots #hospitalassociatedbloodclots #knowyourrisk #livewebinar #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention #kneesurgery #safesurgery

"I want to advocate for new moms-to-be so they don

"I want to advocate for new moms-to-be so they don't die as our daughter did—right here in Northern Virginia. The United States has one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, yet pulmonary emboli are a leading cause of death among new mothers, even in highly educated, highly served areas.

Monica lived just outside of Washington, DC where the health care is generally excellent, and yet she has died from a treatable ailment. Please listen and spread the word of 'Monica’s Plea' not just to new moms, but to all who are in contact with new moms. Information and awareness prior to giving birth is key to stopping premature deaths for mothers. We must also get the word out to doctors, nurses, hospitals, midwives, medical schools, clinics, and women of childbearing age.

New mom-to-be, as you and your family are planning for the arrival of the new little one, I implore you to include some essential education for yourself. Not all doctors’ offices, midwives, and hospitals effectively communicate the warning signs of a potential PE pulmonary embolism. A PE is when a blood clot in a vein is carried to the lungs, usually resulting in death.

I want to passionately inform you in memory of our late daughter Monica to please call your doctor with any new symptoms after delivery (and up to a year postpartum) to learn if you should be concerned and need to go to the ER.

Symptoms include throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. Please don’t put off telling your doctor until your six-week follow-up. Monica thought her calf tightness that caused her to limp was from the epidural, and she 'hurt all over' from her hard labor. Twelve days after giving birth, she collapsed and died of a PE, leaving her family bereft and her infant son without his mother.

Many have wondered, 'How could this have happened in 2024?' Our daughter was an athlete and suffered her share of injuries. She and her husband were sleep-deprived caring for their new son, and Monica wasn’t thinking about herself..."

Continue reading Monica's story at the patient stories link in bio.

#stoptheclot #monicasplea

The National Blood Clot Alliance is encouraged by

The National Blood Clot Alliance is encouraged by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent remarks that recognized blood clots alongside other major health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

His comments came during a visit to a New York pharmacy to promote a federal program that will lower the cost of 10 of the highest-cost drugs in Medicare.

In his speech, Schumer emphasized the importance of addressing serious health issues, stating, “These are some of the most common drugs and they deal with some of our most serious problems, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, blood clots...”

We appreciate this increased recognition of blood clots and look forward to continued progress in improving patient access to necessary treatments.

Read more at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotpatients #bloodthinners #anticoagulants #medicare @senschumer

"I was diagnosed with a DVT and bilateral pulmonar

"I was diagnosed with a DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism on April 10, 2024.

I underwent a biopsy for a uterine cyst in November 2023 and subsequently had my menstrual period for almost 30 days. My gynecologist prescribed me birth control to stop my period.

From mid-January until April, I was taking four birth control pills a day to control my cycle and minimize my blood loss. Around the last week of February, I woke up with sharp foot pain. I couldn’t stand or fully extend my foot.

As an avid runner, I dismissed the pain as a bout with plantar fasciitis and continued on with my day. Over the next three weeks, I went on a cruise, went to work, worked out, and hung out with friends pushing through the pain. I would take ibuprofen every now and then.

On April 7, I woke up with what I thought was the worst charley horse I ever had. I couldn’t stand and my leg was warm to the touch. I called my mom, who survived a DVT a few years prior, and she urged me to go to the ER. I refused and went to a local urgent care.

The doctor there dismissed my symptoms as a pulled muscle and prescribed me a muscle relaxer. The next two days I limped to and from work in agony.

On April 10, I woke up and I couldn’t breathe, my heart was racing, and I couldn’t get myself out of bed. I called my husband to take me to the ER. The triage doctor again said it was a pulled muscle and told me to ice my leg.

As I started to limp out, a nurse saw me, put me in a wheelchair, took me back to the same doctor, and said, 'This isn’t a pulled muscle. Look at her leg.' That woman was my guardian angel and I am so thankful for her.

The doctor had to cut my pants off because my leg was so swollen. He looked at me and said, 'I didn’t take you seriously at first but, I am taking you seriously now.' I went on to receive a slew of testing and an overnight hospital stay. If that nurse hadn’t advocated for me, I would not be here right now.

I was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune condition that can increase the risk for blood clots...."

Read Kourtney's full story at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

🏃‍♂️ Join us for the National Blood Clot

🏃‍♂️ Join us for the National Blood Clot Alliance's 5th Annual Fun Run from October 11-14 in honor of World Thrombosis Day! Every step we take raises awareness about blood clots and helps save lives.

You can choose to walk, run or roll a distance of one mile, 5K, or 10K anytime between October 11-14. However you choose to move, your participation matters. Let's come together to prioritize our health, spread the word about blood clot prevention and treatment, and raise funds to support NBCA’s awareness and education programs.

🗓 Event Dates: October 11-14

📍 Location: Virtual

🔗 Sign Up Today: Link in bio.

#stoptheclot #worldthrombosisday #bloodclots #funrun #charityrace #virtualrace #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotevent #bloodclotprevention

Spending time in the hospital is always a challeng

Spending time in the hospital is always a challenge. The last thing you need is another health problem or setback on your road to recovery.

It is important to know that being in the hospital places you at increased risk for the development of a deadly blood clot, particularly if you’re dealing with surgery, a physical trauma, or a serious illness like cancer.

Dr. Elliott Haut of Johns Hopkins Medicine joins us for our October PEP Talk on hospital-associated risk factors including prolonged immobility, surgery, or other medical treatments and how you can protect yourself.

We hope to see you there! Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #bloodclots #hospitalassociatedbloodclots #knowyourrisk #livewebinar #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention

Today is National Video Games Day, but before you

Today is National Video Games Day, but before you immerse yourself in your favorite game, make sure you are aware of your risk for blood clots.

Sitting and playing video games for extended periods of time, generally more than four hours, is a significant risk factor for blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), which can lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE), or a blood clot in the lungs, which is life-threatening.

Research has shown that people with no additional risk factors other than prolonged physical inactivity have developed “gamer’s thrombosis.” The risk is even higher in people with additional risk factors, including smoking, obesity and genetic conditions.

Please share this post as a reminder to stand up, walk around, and get that blood flowing every hour or so!

Learn more about your risk for blood clots at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #nationalvideogamesday #gamersthrombosis #videogames #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #knowyourrisk #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention

The New York Marathon is less than two months away

The New York Marathon is less than two months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! As the November 3 race date draws near, we’re showcasing each of the remarkable individuals who will run the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

Dr. Richard Baum is an interventional radiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and he’s also a marathon veteran — he has run the Boston Marathon five times in the last seven years.

“I treat thrombosis and thromboembolism patients almost every day in my clinical practice. This topic is near and dear to my heart. I am fully aware of the impact and suddenness this diagnosis can have, and I’m running to raise awareness.”

Support Richard’s marathon fundraiser for NBCA at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #bloodclots #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #anticoagulants #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #bloodclotawareness

Pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of B

Pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of Black maternal mortality in the U.S. Research shows that many of these deaths are linked to C-sections. Black women are more likely to give birth by C-section than any other racial group.

The National Blood Clot Alliance stands with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and other Black maternal health advocates to shine a spotlight on these inequities.

We are attending the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute to spread awareness of life-threatening blood clots among pregnant and postpartum Black mothers.

Use the checklist at the link in bio to assess your risk for blood clots during pregnancy and postpartum.

#stoptheclot #BMHC24 #BlackMamasMatter #blackmaternalhealth #healthinequities #knowyourrisk #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention @blackmamasmatter

"I had an appointment with my PCP on October 5, 20

"I had an appointment with my PCP on October 5, 2019 for shortness of breath. I could barely walk to my car from his office door. My lower legs were hurting. I was 56 and on no medications. He referred me to a cardiologist.

The following day, after my morning coffee, I could hardly walk. I noticed my left leg to be super hot and red with some swelling.

I called my PCP’s office and a nurse picked up. She asked me if I thought I could drive. I said yes. (Don’t do this, by the way.) She told me to go to the ER immediately. I went to a small hospital in the town where I lived.

The ER doc Immediately did bloodwork, including a D-dimer test. It came back indicating that I likely had a DVT, which he expected after looking at my leg.

He wanted to scan my heart and lungs just to be sure, so off I went to imaging. Honestly, I was feeling pretty well, except for the shortness of breath. The pain in my legs had subsided a bit.

The ER doctor returned, and he did not have a good poker face! It scared me.

Doc said, “You have multiple, bilateral pulmonary emboli. You have minutes.” And, he knocked on the door, which was a signal to the care team outside. Four people were on me like bees on honey!

As he continued on, he asked: “Have you been throwing up blood? Have you had any pain in your chest?”

“No,” I said.

He continued, “Your vitals are all good. This is amazing, because you never see that.”

I spent five days in the ICU. I didn’t exactly have the best follow-up care, but I ultimately landed with a great hematologist!

I experienced PTSD, but thankfully my new PCP recognized it and I got help.

In terms of risk factors, I have prothrombin factor II and my hematologist suspects both of my sons have it as well.

My advice to others is research, research, research, and do genetic testing if your doctor recommends it."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #prothrombinfactor2 #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #ptsd

Calling all venous blood clot survivors: Let your

Calling all venous blood clot survivors: Let your voice be heard! Take part in a research study about the experiences of patients with venous blood clots at the time of diagnosis and treatment, feelings concerning clinical studies, and willingness to participate in further discussions on clinical study design.

This survey is confidential. For more information and to participate in the study, see the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #patientsurvey #venousbloodclotsurvey #bloodclotpatients #bloodclotsurvivors #patientresearch #bloodclotresearch

We regret to inform you that tonight’s PEP Talk

We regret to inform you that tonight’s PEP Talk has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We will soon provide you with an update as to when it is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.

"In 2022, I was running three times a week trainin

"In 2022, I was running three times a week training for my first half marathon when I noticed swelling and cramping in my left leg . I shrugged it off as overtraining or a Baker cyst behind my knee.

Until that point, I had been a very healthy 44-year-old wife, mom, and teacher. I never in a million years would have thought I had blood clots in my legs, but that was my diagnosis: two blood clots partially blocking the popliteal vein in my left leg. I was shocked, scared, and very uninformed.

I immediately started apixaban 5m twice a day, which comes with its own challenges. I also began to rebuild and fine-tune my mental health, which can be compromised with an unexpected diagnosis.

I have learned to adapt and navigate all the challenges of being a survivor. I ultimately ran my race and have continued to persevere and run several more races. I don’t know why this condition came to me, as all genetic markers known are negative, but it has taught me to never give up and do what I can when I can.

A special thank you to Stop the Clot. You have helped me and so many people live with this condition with grace and dignity."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #patientstory #bloodclotstory #deepveinthrombsis #dvt #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotsurvivor #marathontraining

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Join us Tuesday, September 10

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Join us Tuesday, September 10 at 7 p.m. for our next PEP Talk, where we discuss how a wide range of factors influence the risk of blood clots across different populations.

Did you know that in addition to genetics, there are factors such as social determinants of health, environmental conditions, and climate change that can all influence the risk of blood clots?

Empower yourself with knowledge and attend this informative session! Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #onlinewebinar #bloodclotriskfactors #knowyourrisk #climatechange #socialdeterminantsofhealth #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

"I was walking my dog when I suddenly felt weaker

"I was walking my dog when I suddenly felt weaker with every step. I needed to sit down on the ground repeatedly throughout the walk. I had chest pains, shortness of breath, and I felt faint.

I called my family and went to the emergency room. It turned out that my D-dimer levels were high. Then I had X-rays, which showed several clots in my lungs.

I was shocked and wondered how this could happen to me at only 27 years old. I was also sad because I was supposed to start my new job the next day, but wouldn’t be able to work for a few weeks.

I was hospitalized immediately and treated with low molecular weight heparin. I also had an ultrasound of the heart to confirm that it had not been affected. I am still being treated with low molecular weight heparin.

They did not find any cause for why I had clots. However, I have an autoimmune disease that they cannot completely rule out as a cause, but otherwise, all tests looked good. I am grateful that I sought care in time.

I have always been taken seriously within the Swedish healthcare system. But after this experience, I sometimes feel scared and worried about what might happen in the future, especially when I don’t have an answer as to why this happened. The doctors have told me to come at the slightest suspicion of a clot.

After suffering from blood clots at such a young age, I have become more grateful for life with each passing day. You can’t take anything for granted."

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

Stay in the know with the latest in blood clot res

Stay in the know with the latest in blood clot research, treatment, and survivor stories! The September issue of the National Blood Clot Alliance monthly newsletter drops TODAY, packed with resources and updates for the blood clot community.

Don’t miss out—subscribe now and join a growing network of survivors dedicated to living their best lives after blood clots.

Sign up at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #newsletter #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotnews #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotpatients #bloodclotsurvivors

The New York Marathon is just two months away and

The New York Marathon is just two months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! As the November 3 race date draws near, we’re showcasing each of the remarkable individuals who will run the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

Tori DeMyer is an anticoagulation pharmacist at a hospital and she’s also a pulmonary embolism survivor. After suffering a PE in 2022 while training for her first marathon, her healing has come full circle as she trains for the 2024 New York Marathon on Team Stop the Clot.

“I work closely with the blood clot community and would love to show how much it means to me,” Tori said.

Support Tori’s marathon fundraiser for NBCA at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #bloodclots #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #anticoagulants #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #bloodclotawareness

"I am a healthy 30-year-old woman. Or at least I t

"I am a healthy 30-year-old woman. Or at least I thought I was.

This summer, I was getting my 1-year-old ready for the day. I lifted him onto the changing table and started to feel light headed. I grabbed him and put him on the floor and sat down to catch my breath, but I never did catch it.

I laid on the floor with difficulty breathing. I could hear my 3-year-old daughter in her room crying out for me. It gave me motivation to try crawling to her room, but the door was closed and I couldn’t open it.

I crawled across my house to find my phone. I called my husband (who did not answer), our small business (my mom did answer) and then 9-1-1.

We live in a rural area and my parents and husband beat the ambulance to our house to find me a shade of blue and laying on the floor unable to breathe.

I needed to be resuscitated twice at my rural hospital. They did not know what was going on and they decided at some point to administer a clot buster. My stats improved. They stabilized and sedated me then transported me to a bigger hospital.

At that hospital, I was diagnosed with a blood clot saddled on both lungs. I underwent a procedure to try to break the clot and it did not work. The blood clot had damaged my heart.

I was transferred to another hospital. They kept up the medicine and I was taken off sedation 24 hours later. Miraculously, I improved! Doctors told me they believed my embolism was caused by hormonal birth control.

My diagnosis shook me. It’s been a few months and I’m home and doing better each day. My clot is still shrinking and I haven't been able to do genetic testing yet. The doctors think that after the six month mark it will be safe to do so.

I'm physically able to do everything I could do before my PE. However, the anxiety it causes me each day is new.

This is one of those things that you know is a risk of birth control, but think it will never happen to you. The crazy part is I had seen my OB/GYN the day before and was fine. I’m permanently on blood thinners and grateful for the people who continue to help me live each day."

More stories at link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #hormonalbirthcontrol #ruralhealthcare

"I was an active 40-year-old woman. I ran every da

"I was an active 40-year-old woman. I ran every day and had 3 sons who kept me busy.

I noticed for over a month that I would have calf pain during my daily runs. Since I only had pain while running, I figured it was related to exercise.

As a 4th grade teacher, back to school rolled around, and during the very first week of school, I started to notice a subtle pain in my left rib area. Again, I didn't give this much thought at all. Back to school is a super busy time as a teacher and a mom, so I hadn't even mentioned this nagging pain to anybody.

After about 4 or 5 days of rib pain, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt like I couldn't breathe. Every inhale and exhale was now a stabbing pain. In addition, I had a low-grade fever and shortness of breath when I went up and down stairs.

Something was obviously wrong, but I was healthy and active, so a pulmonary embolism was not on my mind. I started at an urgent care clinic where they did an x-ray to take a look at my ribs. The X-ray revealed fluid around my lung.

I am so thankful that the urgent care doctor, out of an abundance of caution, sent me straight to the hospital for a CT scan that revealed that the symptoms I was having were actually from a pulmonary embolism.

The calf pain I was feeling for a couple of months prior was a DVT. I am now a year out from this experience and am back to being active and enjoying life with my family.

Doctors considered all risk factors, and I didn't have any. All blood tests were negative for any clotting disorders. Doctors determined that my pulmonary embolism was unprovoked. For a few reasons, I will be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am so fortunate that my story turned out the way it did.

Before this, I did not know anyone else who had DVT or PE. Recovery was very lonely at first and I found myself visiting the Stop the Clot website frequently. Reading the stories of other people helped me to know I wasn't alone and to learn that a lot of what I was feeling was normal.

My advice to others is to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Don't be shy to reach out to professionals if something does not feel right!"

#stoptheclot

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