Home / Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Are You at Risk for Blood Clots, DVT or PE?

Learn the risk factors for blood clots, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

Stop the Clot Risk Tool

Made possible with unrestricted educational support from Ortho-McNeil.

Current News

ok3

Legislative Update: Blake Burgess Act Advances in Oklahoma

We are pleased to share that House Bill 3644 (HB 3644), the “Blake Burgess Act,” passed through the House yesterday.…

Get the full story »

Breaking News Instagram Post (2)

National Blood Clot Alliance Applauds New Multi-Society Clinical Guidelines for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) celebrates a landmark moment in cardiovascular health as the American Heart Association…

Get the full story »

Get more news »

Follow us on Instagram

stoptheclot

Advancing blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis & treatments to #stoptheclot. Submit your story @ link below ⬇️ Our podcast: Taking a Breath 🎙️

Today, the National Blood Clot Alliance is on Capi

Today, the National Blood Clot Alliance is on Capitol Hill alongside clinicians, meeting with Members of Congress and their staff to elevate a critical, often overlooked public health issue: blood clots.

Each year, up to 900,000 Americans are affected — and as many as 100,000 lives are lost. Yet too many cases are preventable, and too many diagnoses are delayed.

Together — patients, advocates, and healthcare professionals — we’re bringing both the human impact and clinical reality to these conversations.

We’re here to advocate for federal support to:
🔹 Develop a comprehensive, nationwide blood clot education and awareness campaign focused on prevention and treatment
🔹 Expand education and training for healthcare professionals to improve recognition of the signs and symptoms

But awareness is only part of the solution. Patients also need access to high-quality, evidence-based care.

That’s why NBCA’s VTE Centers of Excellence program exists — to recognize and support institutions committed to delivering the highest standard of care across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

And we’re not stopping there…

We’re excited to share that this work is expanding — with more to come soon.

Because excellence in VTE care shouldn’t be limited by geography. Every community deserves access to coordinated, evidence-based care — and we’re committed to helping build and support programs that bring that level of care closer to home.

Together, we can build a future where blood clots are prevented when possible, diagnosed without delay, and treated with excellence.

#stoptheclot #vtecoe #capitolhillday #patientadvocacy #bloodclotawareness

We did it — all 50 states are now represented. 🇺🇸

Because of this incredible community, more than 1,300 letters were sent to Congress urging support for federal blood clot awareness and education funding.

Advocates from every state across the country stepped up to make their voices heard.

The timing couldn’t be better. Tomorrow, the National Blood Clot Alliance will be on Capitol Hill for our annual advocacy day, meeting with congressional offices to discuss the urgent need for blood clot prevention, awareness, and education.

Your voices matter. Your action makes a difference.

Thank you for helping us light up the map — and move this mission forward!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #advocacy #calltoaction #contactyourreps #bloodclotadvocacy #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotfunding #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention

Nearly 900,000 Americans experience a blood clot e

Nearly 900,000 Americans experience a blood clot each year — and about 100,000 lives are lost.

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester knows this reality all too well. She lost her husband, Charles, to a pulmonary embolism at just 52 years old.

In this powerful message for Blood Clot Awareness Month, she shares why awareness matters — and why knowing the signs and risk factors can save lives.

Most blood clots are preventable.

Take a moment today to learn the warning signs and share this information with someone you care about.

Visit StopTheClot.org to learn more.

As we prepare for our annual Capitol Hill Day tomorrow, we’re grateful for leaders like Senator Blunt Rochester who help elevate this lifesaving message.

Together, we can stop the clot.

@senlbr
https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/
#StopTheClot #BCAM2026 #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism #DVT #VTE #PatientSafety #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #KnowTheSigns #PreventBloodClots #SaveLives

🎙️Travel blogger Sherry Ott discovered a pulm

🎙️Travel blogger Sherry Ott discovered a pulmonary embolism after extensive travel.
Days later, she learned she had THREE pulmonary embolisms in her lung!

In this conversation, Sherry shares how easily the symptoms were missed, how quickly the situation became serious, and what she wishes travelers knew about blood clot risks during long periods of sitting — on planes, trains, or even road trips.

https://youtu.be/6NR_rykPC2I

@Ottsworld

#BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism #stoptheclot #WomensHealth #KnowTheSigns

Although often viewed as an adult condition, venou

Although often viewed as an adult condition, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly recognized in children — particularly among hospitalized and medically complex patients.

We hosted a live webinar featuring Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD, Pediatric Hematologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital & member of NBCA’s Medical & Scientific Advisory Board.

This evidence-based program covers:
✔️ Key pediatric VTE risk factors
✔️ Age-specific diagnostic challenges
✔️ Practical anticoagulation guidance

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel @stoptheclot, or find the link in our bio.

#StopTheClot #PediatricVTE #BloodClotsinChildren

Knowing these signs could save a life. March is B

Knowing these signs could save a life.

March is Blood Clot Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Strong Enough to Ask”— because strength isn’t ignoring symptoms. It’s trusting your instincts and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

Here is a peak at what’s inside our Blood Clot Awareness Toolkit, which is FREE to download from our website.

Just to go https://bit.ly/BCAM2026
(or find the link in our bio)

#stoptheclot #strongenoughtoask #bloodclots #bloodclotawarenessmonth #bcam2026 #vte #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

Blood clots claim too many lives each year, yet fe

Blood clots claim too many lives each year, yet federal funding for awareness and education has been eliminated. We can’t afford to let this life-saving issue be overlooked!

The National Blood Clot Alliance is pushing for change. We’re heading to DC next week (Tuesday) for our Capitol Hill Day, for meetings with legislators. Our mission is to urge Congress to prioritize funding that will help educate the public and prevent unnecessary tragedies. But we still need YOUR help.

Here’s how you can help:
➡️ Send a letter to Congress—it takes just a minute! Enter your address at the link below to make your voice heard.
➡️ Live in Wyoming? Your voice is especially crucial as we work to reach all 50 states!

Even if you can’t be there in person to advocate with us, you can still can make your voice heard. Help us light up the map (the darker the blue, the better)!

Take action now at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #advocacy #calltoaction #contactyourreps #bloodclotadvocacy #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotfunding #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention

Thank you to everyone who joined our March PEP Tal

Thank you to everyone who joined our March PEP Talk on Navigating a New Blood Clot Diagnosis!

This is an important quarterly topic that helps patients deal with the overwhelm that comes from a recent diagnosis. And you’re not alone. In this clip from our recent PEP Talk, Diane Wirth (a member of our Medical and Scientific Advisory Board) answers your questions, provides guidance, resources, and support to help you take control of your health and confidently manage your condition.

🎥 Watch the full recording here: https://youtu.be/fBiedVrpj3w
or find the link in our bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #dvt #pulmonaryembolism #nbca #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsurvivor

On an ordinary Wednesday, Chelsey’s life changed

On an ordinary Wednesday, Chelsey’s life changed forever.

At 31, with no prior health issues, she suddenly collapsed. In the hospital, doctors discovered she had suffered a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism, leading to heart and respiratory failure. Her family was told she might not survive.

She did.

Today, Chelsey is using her second chance to give back.

During Blood Clot Awareness Month, she’s hosting an online fundraiser featuring handmade resin lung keychains — with proceeds supporting NBCA’s mission to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blood clots through education, advocacy, and patient support.

“It is my pleasure to be able to give back to this community and support it in any way I can. When I had my massive pulmonary embolism in 2022, Stop the Clot was the first blood clot support group I came across and they gave me so many answers and confidence to feel safer navigating my life. That was instrumental in helping me through that trauma.”

Chelsey, thank you for transforming survival into support for others.

🔗 Fundraiser: https://etsy.me/4cHCLqC
(or find the link in our bio)

#stoptheclot #nationalbloodclotalliance #nbca #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclot #bloodclotawarenessmonth2026 #bcam2026

Let’s face it, after a blood clot many of us are

Let’s face it, after a blood clot many of us are anxious and worried about our bodies and what we can and cannot do. But this March (during Blood Clot Awareness Month, no less), the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Nationals in Albuquerque, NM saw blood clot survivor Roxanne Brockner take the win! She won the Women’s 60-64 age group in the 60 meter dash and placed second in the 200 meter.

Roxanne is a two-time blood clot survivor and sends a message of hope and inspiration, proving that we can learn to trust our bodies, return to the activities we love, AND reach new personal bests.

Join Roxanne and the NBCA community in the 100,000 Reasons Challenge. Together we’ll get up, walk, run, ride, and roll, tracking and sharing our progress along the way. It’s not too late to join!

🚶🏽‍♂️‍➡️ Move for remembrance.
🏃🏼‍♀️ Move for awareness.
🚴🏾 Move for your physical and mental health.
🛼 Move so fewer lives are lost.

💜 New this year: If you want to support without tracking your miles, you can still make a powerful impact by fundraising, sharing resources, and cheering others on.

Click here to join or find the link in our bio:
bit.ly/100kReasons2026

@roxannebrockner

#StrongEnoughToAsk #StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #BloodClotSurvivor #PulmonaryEmbolism #bloodclots #bloodclotawarenessmonth #bcam2026 #vte #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

🎁 Challenge Prize Alert! 🎁 To celebrate eve

🎁 Challenge Prize Alert! 🎁

To celebrate everyone participating in the **100,000 Reasons Challenge**, we’re giving away **two pairs of Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses**!

Participants will have the chance to win in two ways:
🏆 Top Fundraiser
Awarded to the participant who raises the most funds for the National Blood Clot Alliance.

🚶 Consistency Champion
Awarded to the participant who logs activity on the **most days during the challenge** — because moving consistently is one of the best ways to reduce blood clot risk.

Walk. Run. Ride. Roll.

Every mile you log and every dollar you raise helps save lives.
Keep moving toward 100,000 miles this March!
⬇️ Log your activity and keep the momentum going!

#100000Reasons #StopTheClot #BloodClotAwareness #MoveForAwareness

💜 Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Lam — the 20

💜 Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Lam — the 2026 Jennifer Luft Emerging VTE Clinician Research Award recipient!

Dr. Lam is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at @fredhutch and @uwmedicine and the University of Washington, where she is building a research program using artificial intelligence to transform how blood clots are detected, managed, and communicated to patients. Her work asks a powerful question: how do we build technology that doesn't just serve clinicians, but truly empowers patients?

That's the spirit of this award — and the spirit of Jennifer Luft's legacy. 💜

This $20,000 award is presented by the National Blood Clot Alliance in memory of Jennifer Luft, who suffered pulmonary emboli at age 23 and whose family's love and resilience inspired us to invest in the future of VTE research.

We are so proud to support Dr. Lam's work. Congratulations! 🎉

#StopTheClot #JenniferLuft #JenniferLuftAward #VTEResearch #BloodClotResearch #BloodClots #PulmonaryEmbolism #DVT #PatientOrientedResearch #EmergingVTEClinicians #Hematology #ArtificialIntelligence #EmergingClinicians

TONIGHT! Join our PEP Talk (“Patients Educating

TONIGHT! Join our PEP Talk (“Patients Educating Patients”), where we’ll discuss what to expect after a new blood-clot diagnosis. Learn how to navigate medications, follow-up care, where to find reliable resources and a supportive community, etc.

📅 Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET
It’s not too late to join!

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/March2026PEPTalk
(or at the link in bio)

Can't make the live event? Register anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Michael Matthews is one of the world’s top profe

Michael Matthews is one of the world’s top professional cyclists, known for his success on some of the biggest stages in the sport. But despite being incredibly fit and training for the Tour de France, he developed multiple blood clots in his lungs, known as pulmonary embolisms, or PEs.

At first, Michael struggled to make sense of what was happening. He was doing the same training he had always done, yet suddenly felt like he couldn’t breathe and described it as feeling “underwater,” with no oxygen in his lungs. Because he is such a highly trained athlete, the warning signs were not immediately obvious. Thankfully, his wife recognized that something was seriously wrong and urged him to go to the hospital, where scans revealed multiple clots in his lungs.

Now Michael is using his voice to remind others that blood clots can happen to anyone. This March, his story is a powerful reminder that no one is invincible, and that being “Strong Enough to Ask” and getting checked when something feels off can save your life.

Join Michael and the NBCA community in the 100,000 Reasons Challenge. Together we’ll get up, walk, run, ride, and roll, tracking and sharing our progress along the way. It’s not too late to join!

🚶🏽‍♂️‍➡️ Move for remembrance.
🏃🏼‍♀️ Move for awareness.
🚴🏾 Move for your physical and mental health.
🛼 Move so fewer lives are lost.

💜 New this year: If you want to support without tracking your miles, you can still make a powerful impact by fundraising, sharing resources, and cheering others on.

Click here to join or find the link in our bio:
bit.ly/100kReasons2026

And look out for the full interview with Michael Matthews when he joins us for the April episode of Taking a Breath: a Stop the Clot podcast.

#StrongEnoughToAsk #StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #BloodClotSurvivor #PulmonaryEmbolism #bloodclots #bloodclotawarenessmonth #bcam2026 #vte #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

Blood clots are often thought of as an adult condi

Blood clots are often thought of as an adult condition — but venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly recognized in children, especially among hospitalized or medically complex patients.

Join us March 11 at 12 PM ET for a live educational webinar featuring Neil Goldenberg, MD, PhD, Pediatric Hematologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and member of the National Blood Clot Alliance Medical & Scientific Advisory Board.

During this session, we’ll discuss:
✔️ Key pediatric VTE risk factors
✔️ Diagnostic challenges unique to children
✔️ Practical guidance for treatment and management

This program is designed for healthcare professionals, but patients, families, and anyone interested in learning more are welcome to attend.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/PedVTEWebinar

#StopTheClot #BloodClotAwarenessMonth #VTEAwareness #PediatricHealth #BloodClots

Tomorrow is your next PEP Talk (“Patients Educat

Tomorrow is your next PEP Talk (“Patients Educating Patients”), where we’ll discuss what to expect after a new blood-clot diagnosis. Learn how to navigate medications, follow-up care, where to find reliable resources and a supportive community, etc.

📅 Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET

It’s not too late to join!

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/March2026PEPTalk
(or at the link in bio)

Can't make the live event? Register anyway to get the recording sent straight to your inbox.

#StopTheClot #BloodClot #VTE #NewDiagnosis #BloodClotAwareness #PulmonaryEmbolism

Today is the start of Patient Safety Awareness Wee

Today is the start of Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 8-14). This is a great time to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from blood clots while hospitalized!

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

Check out this blood-clot prevention plan.

And learn more, here: https://www.stoptheclot.org/spreadtheword/hospitalization/

#bloodclot #stoptheclot #pulmonaryembolism #patientsafetyawarenessweek

🩸 A blood clot diagnosis can turn your world up

🩸 A blood clot diagnosis can turn your world upside down. Questions, fear, and uncertainty are normal, but you don’t have to navigate this alone!

NBCA’s New Patient Guide was created to help you understand what comes next after a blood clot diagnosis. It will walk you through the typical stages of the blood clot journey — diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention — and explain what to expect at each step.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a DVT, PE, or another type of venous blood clot — or you’re caring for someone who has — this guide is here to support you every step of the way. 📖

Download it, here: https://bit.ly/NBCANewPatientGuide
or find the link in our bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclot #pulmonaryembolism #factorvleiden #prothrombin #healthresources

Nicola’s collapse was initially diagnosed as a h

Nicola’s collapse was initially diagnosed as a heart attack. Meanwhile, precious time had passed before eventually discovering the massive pulmonary embolism in her lungs.

This March for Blood Clot Awareness Month and the message is **#StrongEnoughToAsk**

Because being strong doesn’t mean toughing it out. It means **listening to your body, asking questions, and advocating for yourself when something doesn’t feel right.**

Read Nicola’s full story: https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/

#StopTheClot #BloodClotAwareness #DVT #Pregnancy #KnowTheSigns #PatientStory #BCAM2026 #StrongEnoughToAsk

🩸 Show your support for Blood Clot Awareness Mo

Load More Follow on Instagram