Home / News / Coping With Blood Clots – Pat Koppa, DVT Survivor, Part One

Coping With Blood Clots – Pat Koppa, DVT Survivor, Part One

Coping With Blood Clots – Pat Koppa, DVT Survivor, Part One

September 15, 2013

Pat Koppa discusses her personal story with DVT.

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Advancing blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and successful treatments to #stoptheclot. Submit your story @ link below. ⬇️

🔬Today is International Clinical Trials Day, es

🔬Today is International Clinical Trials Day, established to recognize the researchers, clinicians, and especially the volunteers who make medical progress possible.

Clinical trials have transformed how we prevent and treat blood clots — from developing safer anticoagulants to improving care strategies for high-risk patients. Every advancement starts with someone who says “yes” to research.

If you're interested in participating in a clinical trial, it’s important to know that trials happen in four distinct phases, each designed to answer specific questions and involve different types of participants, from healthy volunteers to people living with the condition being studied.

Want to learn more or explore current trials? Visit the 🔗 in bio!

#stoptheclot #clinicaltrials #bloodclotresearch #vteresearch #bloodclots #bloodclottingdisorders #thrombophilia #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotpatient

We're proud to announce MyMichigan Medical Center

We're proud to announce MyMichigan Medical Center Midland as the first hospital in the U.S. to be designated an NBCA DVT Center of Excellence™!

This designation recognizes MyMichigan’s commitment to proactive, patient-centered DVT care, setting a new national standard in blood clot prevention and treatment.

Dr. Jacob Frisbie, vascular surgeon and VTE champion at MyMichigan, said: “This validates our team’s focus on timely intervention, the right treatment, and long-term support.”

Early diagnosis and treatment of DVT are critical. When caught early, DVT can be effectively treated, preventing it from progressing into a pulmonary embolism (PE) –- a potentially fatal condition. This designation represents a significant step in ensuring that patients receive the timely care they need to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

Congratulations to the team in Midland for this well-deserved distinction! 👏

@mymichiganhealth

Learn more at the link in bio!

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #VTECentersOfExcellence #CentersOfExcellence #COE #HospitalExcellence #BloodClotAwareness

Many women who’ve had a blood clot are told they

Many women who’ve had a blood clot are told they can never use estrogen-based birth control — but that’s not always true.

In this clip from our May PEP Talk on women and blood clots, Dr. Anna Parks, hematologist at the University of Utah and a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis, explains why this is a common misconception. While estrogen *can* increase the clotting risk, automatically ruling it out without a full discussion often leaves women with few or no options.

As a result, many women on blood thinners are left to cope with heavy, unmanaged menstrual bleeding — or, face the possibility of an unintended pregnancy. And pregnancy itself is a major clotting risk.

Dr. Parks breaks down what women need to know about hormonal birth control, bleeding management, and how to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.

If you missed the live session, the full recording is now available at the PEP Talk 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #WomenAndBloodClots #KnowYourRisk #PEPTalk #MedicalGaslighting #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

With Men’s Health Month just weeks away, now is

With Men’s Health Month just weeks away, now is the time to talk about health risks men often overlook, like the connection between prostate cancer and blood clots.

Men with prostate cancer have a 50% higher risk of developing dangerous blood clots, especially in the first six months after diagnosis. Treatments like surgery and hormone therapy can increase this risk — even more so for those with a prior history of blood clots.

Former President Joe Biden, recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, had a DVT in 1988. His experience underscores the importance of understanding all your health risks, especially when multiple factors are in play.

This Men’s Health Month, encourage the men in your life to get screened, know their family and personal history, and talk to their doctor about prevention.

In Season 2, episode 3 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast, Michael Philbin, a prostate cancer survivor, discusses how he navigated both prostate cancer and blood clots. Listen at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

#StopTheClot #ProstateCancer #BloodClots #VTE #CancerAndClots #KnowYourRisk #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotEducation

After giving birth to twins by C-section, Kacey re

After giving birth to twins by C-section, Kacey restarted birth control. A few months later, her leg became swollen and discolored.

She was sent home from the ER with a diagnosis of muscle strain, but the next day, she could barely breathe.

Now recovered from a DVT and PE, Kacey shares this advice: “Always listen to your body and advocate for yourself because your life depends on it.” 👉Swipe through to read her full story.

🔗More patient stories: Link inn bio.

🎶 Volunteers Who Rock! 🎶 At the National Bl

🎶 Volunteers Who Rock! 🎶

At the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), our volunteers are making a difference in fun and innovative ways! One of our incredible Thrombassador volunteers, Jill Cowley, is hosting a music festival next month to help support our mission. Talk about a note-worthy event! 🎸✨

This festival isn’t just about great music; it’s about coming together to spread vital awareness about the risks, signs and symptoms of blood clots in memory of Jill's cousin, Chandra, who passed away from a pulmonary embolism. We love seeing how our volunteers come up with such creative and meaningful ways to spread the word and give back.

#StopTheClot #RememberChandra #Thrombassador #DVT #PE #BloodClots #BloodClotAwareness #VolunteerForChange #MusicForAwareness #NBCA #BloodClotAwareness #VolunteerInspiration #RockOnForClots #CreativeImpact

From music festivals to lemonade stands, you can make an impact no matter your passion.
Have an idea? You could be the next volunteer to take action and make a difference! 🙌

If you’re in the upstate New York area, join us for an unforgettable day of music, food, and fun—all for a great cause! 🎤🎉

📍 Location: Dominick’s Tavern, Oswego, NY
📅 Date: Saturday, June 21
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM ET

💬 How could help bring important blood clot education to YOUR community? Drop a comment below and let us know how you might get involved! Let’s work together to reduce the impact of blood clots—one community at a time.

👶Pregnancy brings big changes, including the in

👶Pregnancy brings big changes, including the increased risk for blood clots.

Did you know? Women are four times more likely to develop a blood clot during pregnancy. After giving birth, that risk spikes dramatically: up to 100 times higher in the first week after delivery, and remains about 20 times higher in the three-month postpartum period.

While this increased clotting risk helps prevent excessive bleeding during childbirth, it can also lead to dangerous complications if left unrecognized.

This Women’s Health Month, know the signs. Ask about your family history and talk to your doctor about your risks. 🔗Learn more at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #WomensHealthMonth #BloodClots #Pregnancy #Postpartum #FourthTrimester #KnowYourRisk #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

🌟 Empowering Communities with Blood Clot Educat

🌟 Empowering Communities with Blood Clot Education & Awareness 🌟

At the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), we are committed to strengthening community health through blood clot education and awareness. Our work wouldn’t be possible without community partners like the Brooklyn Community District 2 and dedicated volunteers like Arshell Brooks-Harris—an NBCA Thrombassador and Board Member who will be representing us tomorrow at Brooklyn CB2’s Fourth Annual Health Fair, “Living Well, Living Strong.”

If you’re in the Brooklyn area, come meet Arshell and learn more about NBCA’s blood clot resources—plus a panel discussion on maternal health, health screenings, fitness classes, healthy food, music, dancing, kids' activities, and much more! The event is FREE and open to the public.

📍 Location: Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Brooklyn, NY
📅 Date: Saturday, May 17
⏰ Time: 12 to 4 PM ET
🔗More Info: https://bit.ly/CB2Event2025

💬 How could help bring important blood clot education to YOUR community? Drop a comment below and let us know how you might get involved! Let’s work together to reduce the impact of blood clots—one community at a time.

#BloodClotAwareness #NBCA #Thrombassador #CommunityHealth #LivingWellLivingStrong #BrooklynHealthFair #VTE #ThrombosisPrevention #StopTheClot @bkcb02

After a tough hike, Chana assumed her lingering ca

After a tough hike, Chana assumed her lingering calf pain was just a muscle strain. But days later, the pain worsened.

She was diagnosed with a DVT in her lower leg, likely caused by a combination of estrogen-based contraception and reduced blood flow from the injury. She faced complications that required two blood transfusions.

Chana’s advice: before starting estrogen birth control, talk to your doctor about your clotting risk, your treatment goals, and safer alternatives if needed.

👉 Swipe through to read Chana’s full story.

🔗More patient stories at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #DVT #Estrogen #DeepVeinThrombosis #BloodClotAwareness #FamilyPlanning #BirthControl

Choosing birth control options isn’t just a pers

Choosing birth control options isn’t just a personal decision, it also involves important medical considerations.

Hormonal methods containing estrogen, including the pill, patch, or ring, increase clotting factors in the body. This mimics pregnancy and raises the risk for blood clots.

While the overall risk is low, it’s higher if you have a personal or family history of clots, are over 35, smoke, or have a clotting disorder.

This Women’s Health Month, talk to your doctor about your risk and the safest birth control options for you. Knowing your risk could save your life.

🔗 Use the risk assessment checklist at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #BirthControl #KnowYourRisk #BloodClotAwareness #Estrogen #WomensHealthMonth

Fantastic News from NBCA! 🎉 Just in time for N

Fantastic News from NBCA! 🎉

Just in time for National Hospital Week (May 11–17), we’re thrilled to announce that two AdventHealth hospitals in Northeast Florida have been named NBCA Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Centers of Excellence.™

AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway are the first in the AdventHealth system — and the first in Northeast Florida — to earn this prestigious designation for their outstanding, patient-centered approach to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blood clots.

“I am immensely proud of the work we have done in VTE treatment and intervention, and very grateful for the recognition that this COE represents,” said Dr. Arkadiy Kheyfits, interventional radiologist at both hospitals. “I believe AdventHealth Palm Coast and Palm Coast Parkway are leaders in this space, and I am excited to continue improving our care and prevention pathways.”

Congratulations to both hospitals, and thank you to all healthcare professionals going above and beyond to improve patient outcomes this week and every week.

📣 We will be announcing yet another VTE Centers of Excellence designation next week, and this time the institution is located in the Midwest. Any guesses? Tell us in the comments!

Learn more about NBCA’s VTE Centers of Excellence: stoptheclot.org/nbca-vte-centers-of-excellence

@adventhealth @adventhealthefl

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #VTECentersOfExcellence #CentersOfExcellence #COE #HospitalExcellence #BloodClotAwareness

Thank you to everyone who joined last evening’s

Thank you to everyone who joined last evening’s May PEP Talk on women and blood clots with Dr. Anna Parks, hematologist at the University of Utah.

In this clip, Dr. Parks discusses options for hormone replacement therapy for women who have a history of blood clots.

🔗 Watch the full recording now at the link in bio and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you’re the first to know when new content drops!

📅 Mark your calendar: Our next PEP Talk on June 10 at 7 p.m. is tailored for people who are new to blood clots — those who have been recently diagnosed with blood clots or the loved one of someone with a new diagnosis. Don’t miss it! Register at the 🔗 in bio.

(Please note: PEP Talks are for educational purposes only and do not replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.)

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #WomenAndBloodClots #KnowYourRisk #PEPTalk #MedicalGaslighting #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

💔Karlie was just 17 when she developed pain in

💔Karlie was just 17 when she developed pain in her leg that resulted in a fatal pulmonary embolism.

Karlie had PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a condition that increases a woman’s risk for blood clots by 1.5 to 2 times. She also took hormonal birth control, a combination that can significantly increase the risk for blood clots.

Her story is a heartbreaking reminder that blood clots can affect anyone, at any age. This Women’s Health Month, we honor Karlie by raising awareness so that other young women can recognize the signs and know their risk.

🔗 Use our assessment checklist to determine your risk for blood clots at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #DeepVeinThrombosis #DVT #PulmonaryEmbolism #PE #FatalPE #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotFatality

🌟We’re honored to share that NBCA has earned

🌟We’re honored to share that NBCA has earned Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest level of recognition for nonprofit transparency and accountability.

This seal demonstrates our commitment to sharing clear, up-to-date information about our mission, impact, goals, and finances.

Fewer than one percent of U.S.-based nonprofits has achieved the Platinum Seal in 2025, making this a significant honor.

“This shows our supporters that their contributions are making a difference,” said Tarin Patrikis, deputy director of NBCA.

“We hope that this will inspire new supporters who are looking to donate to a trustworthy organization committed to saving lives and improving public health.”

🔗Read more and support our work with a donation at the link in bio!

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #VTE #CandidPlatinumSeal #NonprofitExcellence

Just days after giving birth, Heather developed a

Just days after giving birth, Heather developed a severe headache that turned out to be a blood clot in her brain, or CVST. Misdiagnosed at first, she suffered a seizure before doctors finally discovered the clot. Later, she survived multiple pulmonary emboli after surgery.

Heather’s experience shows how easily clot symptoms can be overlooked, especially during postpartum recovery.

Now an NBCA Thrombassador, Heather joins us TONIGHT for our PEP Talk on women and blood clots to share her story and help others better understand clot risks, symptoms, and life after diagnosis. Don’t miss it! 🔗 Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #CVST #PulmonaryEmbolism #PE #Postpartum #FourthTrimester #BloodClotAwareness

HAPPENING TONIGHT: Women face risks when it comes

HAPPENING TONIGHT: Women face risks when it comes to blood clots, especially during pregnancy, postpartum, or when using hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy.

Join us TONIGHT for our May PEP Talk on women and blood clots. We’ll cover what every woman should know about blood clot risks, symptoms, prevention, and treatment, with insights from Dr. Anna Parks, hematologist at the University of Utah and a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis.

🔗 Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #WomenAndBloodClots #KnowYourRisk #PEPTalk #MedicalGaslighting #BloodClotAwareness #BloodClotWebinar

Taylor thought her worsening back and leg pain was

Taylor thought her worsening back and leg pain was just a back injury. As a nurse, she knew the signs and symptoms of blood clots, but she was worried about overreacting and delayed seeking help. 👉 Swipe through to read Taylor’s full story.

📅 Join us TOMORROW for our PEP Talk on women and blood clots to hear more about risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of early action.

🔗 Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #FactorVLeiden #FVL #MayThurnerSyndrome #MTS #DVT #DeepVeinThrombosis #PE #PulmonaryEmbolism #BloodClotAwareness

Today is International Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Da

Today is International Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Day, a time to raise awareness about a condition that too often goes unspoken.

For women on blood thinners after a blood clot, nearly 3 out of 4 experience heavy menstrual bleeding, according to a 2024 study led by Dr. Anna Parks, hematologist at the University of Utah and a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis.

Even more concerning, 86% say it negatively affects their quality of life.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is more than an inconvenience, it’s a real medical issue that can impact physical, emotional, and social well-being.

If you’re on anticoagulation and experiencing heavy periods, you’re not alone, and you deserve care and support.

Dr. Anna Parks is our medical expert for our May 13 PEP Talk on women and blood clots. Join us to learn more and hear expert advice. 🔗 Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #BloodClots #InternationalHeavyMenstrualBleedingDay #HMB #Anticoagulants #BloodThinners #BloodClotAwareness

🌷Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-

🌷Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be, and incredible women in our lives!

As we celebrate motherhood, we also want to shine a light on the often-overlooked challenges some women face, including the risk of blood clots during pregnancy and postpartum.

Did you know the risk of a blood clot is highest in the weeks following childbirth? Knowing your family history and understanding risk factors like surgery or hospitalization can help protect your health during this critical time.

This Mother’s Day, let’s honor moms not just with flowers, but with awareness and action.

Join us for our Women’s Health Month PEP Talk on May 13, where we’ll dive into blood clot risks for women, medical gaslighting, mental health, hormonal risks, and more.

Register at the 🔗 in bio.

#StopTheClot #MothersDay #BloodClots #PEPTalk #KnowYourRisk #PEPTalk

After giving birth via emergency C-section, Annast

After giving birth via emergency C-section, Annastasia developed a severe headache that was dismissed as normal post-epidural pain. Days later, she collapsed and was diagnosed with a blood clot in her brain (CVST) that caused a major stroke. 👉Swipe though to read the full story.

Annastasia's experience highlights an issue we’ll cover at our Women’s Health Month PEP Talk on May 13: the danger of medical gaslighting, especially when women’s symptoms are downplayed or overlooked. 🔗Register at the link in bio.

#StopTheClot #StopTheClotStory #BloodClots #CVST #BrainBloodClot #Pregnancy #BloodClotAwareness

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