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December e-Newsletter

DECEMBER E-NEWSLETTER: WISHING YOU A HAPPY & HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

This year has been a challenge, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and like so …

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December e-Newsletter | Seasons Greetings from NBCA

This time of year is filed with joy, as we take part in holiday festivities and traditions with …

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Antithrombin Deficiency

Antithrombin Deficiency An In-Depth Guide for Patients and Healthcare Providers By Stephan Moll, MD Last reviewed on July 22, 2024…

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Jen's Stuff - 2024-03-12T121846.894

Introducing the NBCA Advocacy Institute

To put an end to the 100,000 deaths each year to blood clots, the National Blood Clot Alliance is accelerating…

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Advancing blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and successful treatments to #stoptheclot.

The 2024 Summer Games start today and we’re root

The 2024 Summer Games start today and we’re rooting for Team Blood Clot! These incredible athletes have triumphed over blood clots to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Left to right:

Bruna Alexandre (Brazil, table tennis): Set to become the first Brazilian to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics. She sustained a blood clot when she was an infant, which resulted in her losing her right arm. @bruninha_alexandre

Ryan Crouser (US, shot put and discus): Just days before the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Crouser was diagnosed with two DVTs in his leg. He still competed in the men’s shot put finals and took home the gold medal. @rcrouser

Jacob Dawson (England, rowing): He was forced to take some time away from his team in 2022 to recover from a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. @dawson8630

Kristen Faulkner (US, cycling): She developed a pulmonary embolism in 2023 after being hit by a car while training. She resumed cycling after a four-month recovery. @arcticfaulks

Nelly Korda (US, golf): She was diagnosed with a blood clot in a subclavian vein in her left arm in 2022 and underwent surgery to remove it. @nellykorda

Tatyana McFadden (US, wheelchair track and field): Known as the world’s fastest female wheelchair racer of all time, suffered DVTs in her leg in 2017. She returned to racing after more than a year of recovery. @tatyanamcfaddenusa

Courtney Ryan (US, wheelchair basketball): A college soccer star, Ryan suffered a spinal cord injury caused by a blood clot in 2010. After recovering, she pursued wheelchair basketball. @courtneyryan_55

Steffen Peters (US, equestrian): He was hospitalized for blood clots in his lungs and left leg earlier this year after several international flights. @speters_dressage

Madeleine Wanamaker (US, rowing): She was diagnosed with a blood clot in her arm and thoracic outlet syndrome in 2023. She recovered in time to race at the World Cup in June of that year. @mad_wana

Know of other athletes competing in Paris who've triumphed over blood clots? Let us know in the comments!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #olympics #olympics2024 #paris2024 #paralympics2024 #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotrecovery #roadtoparis

"In September 2022, I underwent a foam sclerothera

"In September 2022, I underwent a foam sclerotherapy on the great saphenous vein in my left leg to treat a varicose vein. This is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure that involves injecting a foam mixture into varicose veins to treat underlying vein conditions.

At the time, I was unknowingly Covid positive for the second time in 12 months.

Almost immediately after the procedure, I started to develop breathing issues and excruciating cramping in my left leg, preventing me from walking or sitting properly.

I queried my symptoms and was told by two doctors that it was normal after such a procedure and put it down to anxiety. I trusted their judgement as they're doctors after all. At this point, I had already developed multiple, smaller emboli in both of my lungs.

A few days passed and the pain in my left leg subsided slightly, but my leg had turned a dark purple color. I still put it down to part of the healing process and went out to get my nails done.

On my walk to the salon, I felt something huge plug my chest and I was suffocating as I could not catch my breath. I somehow managed to call an ambulance. Paramedics had no idea what was wrong with me.

I will never forget this moment where I actually told myself, “This is it, I'm going to die.” My heart was pounding in my chest so fast that I thought there's no way it can withstand this pressure. It was absolutely terrifying.

Upon admission to the ER, an ECG showed elevated tropinin levels and I also had a very high D-dimer level in my blood results.

Testing confirmed a saddle embolus which was causing huge burden on my airways. I had to spend all of my time in isolation due to Covid and feeling like I could die at any stage. I have never ever felt so alone or vulnerable in my entire life.

I'm a rivaroxaban lifer, despite my clot event being provoked based on Covid and vascular surgery. A Doppler ultrasound confirmed that the previous ablation attempt failed and that the proximal portion of my great saphenous vein remains open. I’m happy to be alive."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #varicoseveins #pulmonaryembolism #pe #dvt

If you’re a blood clot survivor or a loved one o

If you’re a blood clot survivor or a loved one of someone affected by blood clots who wants to spread awareness and save lives, we have an opportunity for you.

Our Community Thrombassador volunteer program plays a major role in spreading blood clot awareness on a grassroots level throughout the country.

Our next training session is Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 12-4 p.m. After undergoing training, Thrombassadors will be able to host their own education and awareness events, and speak about blood clots in their communities on behalf of the NBCA.

The first step in becoming a Thrombassador is filling out a pre-registration form at the link in bio.

We hope to see you Aug. 6!

#bloodclots #stoptheclot #thrombassador #volunteering #bloodclotvolunteering #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk

The highly anticipated TCS New York City Marathon

The highly anticipated TCS New York City Marathon is less than four months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! We’ll be showcasing each of the individuals who will embark on the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

“In the summer of 2018, I was training for the NYC Marathon. I spent my weekends on long runs and was thrilled that I had completed my first half marathon that May.

I had just come back from a stressful work trip when I started getting a headache. Days passed and I powered through, I even went on my longest run to date — 15-miles — with my headache. When I briefly fainted the following week, my husband convinced me to see a doctor.

I was extremely lucky. My PCP instructed me to make an appointment with a neurologist and he saved my life. He ordered several tests, including an MRV on my brain with contrast, not something he would typically do for a long-lasting headache.

About an hour after I returned home from my scan, I got the call informing me that I needed to quickly make my way to the ER as I had a sizeable blood clot in my brain. I was treated by some of the finest doctors at NYU Langone. We eventually discovered that I have factor V Leiden, a genetic mutation that makes me more susceptible to clotting.

Clearly my dreams of running the marathon that year were shattered but I still had hope that I would one day fulfill my goal. The following year, I was pregnant with our daughter and the year after that was 2020 and the marathon was cancelled.

In 2021 I wanted more children and figured I would be able to run the following year. Just under three years of secondary fertility issues and 12 failed rounds of treatment later, we decided to move on, and so this is the year.

As I take control back of my body and push it to the finish line, I run for my daughter; I run for my husband; I run for my family and friends; I run for those struggling with blood clots; I run for for those who lost their life due to blood clots; I run for you as a thank you for supporting this cause and I run for me."

If you’d like to support Kelley, you can do so at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot @nycmarathon

"In 2021 I was feeling healthier than I had in yea

"In 2021 I was feeling healthier than I had in years because I spent the previous 10 months working out and eating better.

On April 14, I had varicose veins treated in my right leg. Two weeks later, I had a follow-up where they did an ultrasound on the leg and released me to resume normal activities.

Just over 24 hours later, I felt really tired and run down. I thought I was coming down with a cold. I walked up my stairs and thought, 'Wow, two weeks of not working out really set me back,' because I was pretty out of breath.

The next morning, Friday, I woke up and my lungs felt itchy. I lay in bed Googling 'Why do my lungs feel itchy?' and got results back that included blood clots and bronchitis. I thought I must be coming down with bronchitis. I work from home and during my lunch that day decided to take a walk of about two blocks, during which I had to stop and catch my breath three times.

I called my doctor's office and was scheduled for an appointment on Monday morning. Getting increasingly worried, I called back and they got me to the nurse who told me I could go to the urgent care for peace of mind. The urgent care sent me straight to the ER.

At the ER I was diagnosed with three DVTs and multiple PEs. I was put on blood thinners for three months. Almost a year later, I had another DVT and am now on thinners for life.

The vein doctor should have noticed three clots in my leg and the nurse at my doctor's office should have noticed a red flag when I told her I had a procedure two weeks before and was having PE symptoms.

I have several family members who have had clots, including a grandmother who passed away from them. At the time of my clots, I was one year older than my grandmother had been at her death.

My advice to others is to know your risk factors. Also, the most common symptoms may not happen to you. While I had three DVTs in my first event, I did not have any symptoms connected to my leg."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #varicoseveins #bloodclotsurvivor

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Episode 11 of

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Episode 11 of Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, listeners hear from @BonnieBernstein, former broadcaster with ESPN and CBS Sports, who suffered through a DVT from her ankle to groin and PEs in both lungs while on assignment.

“I remember thinking that if I get through this, the first thing I was going to do is become a patient advocate,” she said. “Because the more I researched, the more I learned that if you have awareness around the signs and symptoms and the risk factors, DVTs are preventable.”

Listen to Bonnie’s story at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

#stoptheclot #takingabreath #bloodclotpodcast #dvt #pe #deepveinthrombosis #pulmonaryembolism #sportsbroadcaster #sportsreporter #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor

🚨 In Case You Missed It! 🚨 US News & World

🚨 In Case You Missed It! 🚨

US News & World Report recently published a must-read article on how to safely return to exercise after a blood clot. It's packed with expert advice and tips to help you get back on track.

👉 Read the article at the link in bio.

It can be a challenge for blood clot survivors to know when it’s safe to return to exercise. A study published in Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis in 2023 indicates that some survivors receive conflicting information from their medical providers about engaging in exercise following a blood clot diagnosis, according to Dr. Julie Partridge, sports and exercise psychology professor at Southern Illinois University and vice chair of NBCA’s Board of Directors.

Some were told to start working out again, some were told not to, some received specific instructions, and almost 25% were told nothing about it. The study also reported several other post-diagnosis exercise barriers noted by VTE survivors, both physical and psychological, which must be addressed.

In February, we hosted a powerful PEP Talk on Exercise, Anticoagulation and Weight Loss After a Blood Clot, and it’s become one of our most-watched PEPs. Don't miss out on the valuable insights and guidance shared in this session.

👉 Watch the PEP Talk at the link in bio.

Stay informed, stay safe, and keep moving!

#stoptheclot #peptalk #livewebinar #exercise #anticoagulation #weightloss #bloodclotprevention #vteprevention #knowyourrisk #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotsupport

"On March 21, 2024, I woke up having extreme short

"On March 21, 2024, I woke up having extreme shortness of breath while trying to get ready for work. Finally, I decided to text my boss to tell him I was going to be late.

I made it to work at 10:00 and let my boss know what was going on with me. At the time, I had a bad cold and thought it had progressed to pneumonia. He asked me if I wanted him to drive me to the ER, I told him no, I'll drive myself. I know, I wasn't thinking!

When I got there, I immediately pulled up at the front entrance and told the security guards that I needed to check in but I was having shortness of breath. Their response was, 'Stay right here, give me the keys to your car. We'll park it and get a wheelchair for you and check you in.'

Once I was checked in, they did an EKG to see if I was having a heart attack. The results showed no heart attack. They gave me a chest X-ray and did a Covid test. No Covid and no pneumonia, but the X-ray showed some bronchitis. They said I still should not be having shortness of breath like this.

Finally, they did a CAT scan on my lungs and that's when the clots were found. They immediately had my IV dripping with heparin, which is a blood thinner.

The next morning they performed a thrombectomy to remove the clots. I stayed in the hospital for four days until I was able to move around without shortness of breath. I'm now home on apixaban for life and going through a slow recovery.

Even though I'm now on blood thinners and have to have periodic bloodwork done, I thank God for sparing my life because as my primary care physician told me, 'You almost died!'”

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #pe #pulmonaryembolism #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #bloodthinners #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games start in one w

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games start in one week! Did you know that numerous athletes who will be competing this year have experienced blood clots? More than a decade ago, @kthoff7 was one of them. She shares her blood clot story in this video and on our podcast, Taking a Breath. Listen to Katie's full episode and the others at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #podcast #takingabreathpodcast #bloodclotpodcast #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #paris2024

"It was June of 2023. I was five days postpartum w

"It was June of 2023. I was five days postpartum when I started to get really erratic blood pressure readings. It would go from 177/206 to 123/79 within minutes, up and down like a roller coaster. I was also having palpitations and I remember telling the doctor later that I had a twinge of pain on the right side of my chest.

Even though I was told it was most likely stress from the postpartum period, something in me knew that wasn’t true. I called the 24-hour nurse, described my symptoms, and waited hours to hear back from someone. They called so late I almost didn’t answer, my reasoning being, 'If it were urgent, they would have called sooner!' But again, I knew better and I took the call.

The nurse advised me to get checked out. It was already 11 p.m. I had a sleeping newborn and a 4-year-old, but I went in, and thank goodness I did, as I had three pulmonary emboli through my lungs. I was hospitalized for two days, put on apixaban for six months (goodbye, breast milk) and had extensive follow-up testing.

I’m so grateful I knew to monitor my blood pressure and to the doctor who didn’t dismiss me as a nervous postpartum woman and actually ordered the CT that caught my blood clots.

I’ve become a huge advocate to those around me, especially pregnant women, about the dangers of blood clots. I urge postpartum woman to monitor their vitals, stay as active as possible, and hydrate.

In addition to pregnancy, my other risk factors were that I had Covid during my pregnancy, and I may also have antiphospholipid syndrome.

My advice to others is to always listen to your body! Monitor your own vitals! Be your own advocate!

The whole ordeal was very traumatic and I have a lot to work through, but I thank the universe for every day I get to wake up to my children, knowing I was that much closer to death once."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #postpartum #pregnancy #knowyourrisk #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotawareness #fourthtrimester #postpartumcare #maternalhealth

The results of a groundbreaking study published in

The results of a groundbreaking study published in the American Journal of Hematology show that anxiety and depression are associated with a heightened risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Dr. Rachel Rosovsky, hematologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a former member of NBCA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, was the lead researcher in the study.

According to the study, stress-related nervous system activity, which is linked to chronic inflammation, contributes to DVT. In fact, anxiety and depression appear to be as significant as other traditional DVT risk factors, such as immobility and obesity.

More research is needed to determine whether treatment for anxiety or depression can reduce the risk of DVT. Read more at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #dvt #deepveinthrombosis #bloodclotresearch #anxiety #depression #chronicinflammation #dvtrisk #knowyourrisk #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotawareness

If you’ve been diagnosed with a blood clot and w

If you’ve been diagnosed with a blood clot and want to gain a deeper understanding of your condition, we’ve got you covered.

Our monthly patient-led PEP Talks explore a new thrombosis-related topic every month with leading medical professionals, arming patients with information they can use to thrive after diagnosis.

Delve into topics like exercise after blood clots, orthopedic surgery, compression, risk factors unique to men and women, autoimmune conditions and so much more.

Our PEP Talks are conducted over Zoom and the recordings are shared on our website, social channels, and our YouTube channel.

Visit our PEP Talk Media Library and register for all of our upcoming 2024 PEP Talks, including our next one on Aug. 13, at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #peptalk #patientseducatingpatients #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotprevention

"Less than two days after giving birth to her firs

"Less than two days after giving birth to her first baby, my aunt died of blood clots in her lungs and heart.

I was 13 at the time and the news shocked the whole family. Two weeks after her funeral, I had some strange leg pain. I thought I had pulled a muscle or injured myself somehow. It was like a cramp that would not go away.

A few days later I suddenly also was having a lot of trouble breathing. I had asthma as a child and had to do breathing treatments so we assumed that's all it was. I was a relatively healthy kid otherwise.

My symptoms persisted so my mom took me to my pediatrician. She told us to get to the ER immediately. It turned out I had two DVTs in my right leg and multiple PEs in both my lungs.

My doctor made the diagnosis of triple-positive antiphosopholipid syndrome about two months later. I went through a rigorous treatment plan. Many blood thinners did not work well for me long-term. I had a good check up on a Friday, and by mid-day Monday, I was headed back into the ER with another DVT, one of the biggest I've ever had.

My doctor thought we were playing a prank on him because he gave me a clean bill of health on Friday before. From there we still struggled to find a blood thinner that would work well.

Eventually, after catching a football on Thanksgiving and ending up with a large superficial clot on my arm, we realized I was close to going into catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome or CAPS. I ended up needing two rounds of chemo to get my antibodies to cooperate. Luckily, the second round worked and I've been healthy since.

This has changed my entire life and how I view the world and invisible illnesses. I'm much more appreciative of my life and experiences now. Although disadvantaged in some ways, I still am very proud of how far I've come."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #aps #antiphospholipidsyndrome #caps #pe #dvt #pulmonaryembolism #deepveinthrombosis #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotsuvrvivor #bloodclotawareness

Primary care physicians (PCP) and specialists such

Primary care physicians (PCP) and specialists such as hematologists both play important roles in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of blood clots, but their roles differ in scope and specificity.

During our next PEP Talk, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. ET, we will discuss the role of PCPs in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of blood clot patients. Patients will also learn how to take an active role in their health and work effectively with PCPs as they navigate life after a blood clot.

We hope you’ll join us! Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #peptalk #primarycarephysicians #bloodclottreatment #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotpatient #bloodclotwebinar #empoweryourself

The highly anticipated TCS New York City Marathon

The highly anticipated TCS New York City Marathon is less than four months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! Throughout the upcoming months, we’ll be showcasing each of the remarkable individuals who will embark on the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

Patrick Mingey of Boston shared why he’s running the marathon on Team Stop the Clot:

“I am lucky enough to say that I haven't lost any loved ones to blood clots, but the risk that comes along with them is on my mind constantly. My wonderful mother, Nellie, has had more than her fair share of run-ins with blood clots, particularly DVTs. On Christmas Day of 2021, my brother and I noticed she had an abnormally swollen leg and thought it best to bring her to the ER. It's a blessing that my mother said something that morning because the cause of her swollen leg was a very severe blood clot.

Other close friends and family members of mine have had very similar issues and each is just as scary as the last. Blood clots are a leading cause of preventable hospital death in the United States. Many people don’t get the treatment they need fast enough and lose their lives to something so preventable. Each year, blood clots kill more people than HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and motor vehicle crashes combined.

My mother's battle with blood clots and continued reliance on blood thinners will go on, but I hope that raising money and awareness of the risk of blood clots may help ensure that others are able to get the treatment they need before it's too late.”

If you would like to support Patrick, you can do so at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #teamstoptheclot #bloodclots #nycmarathon #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor #charityrace #fundraising #bloodclotprevention

Are you interested in helping to spread blood clot

Are you interested in helping to spread blood clot awareness in your community? Join our Community Thrombassador program!

NBCA Community Thrombassadors are dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in our mission by spreading life-saving information to communities nationwide. After completing training, Thrombassadors will be equipped to host their own education and awareness events and advocate for blood clot prevention in their communities on behalf of the NBCA.

Our next training is Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 12-4 p.m. Community Thrombassadors will learn about the role and expectations, resources available, history of the organization, speaking and media guidelines, blood clot terminology and statistics, and how to be the best blood clot advocate in their community.

The first step in becoming a Community Thrombassador is filling out a pre-registration form at the link in bio.

We hope to see you Aug. 6!

#bloodclots #stoptheclot #thrombassador #volunteering #bloodclotvolunteering #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk

"Last July, I started feeling tightness in my ches

"Last July, I started feeling tightness in my chest when I breathed in deeply. I ignored it for awhile, as it didn’t seem to cause any real issues.

A month or so later, I went to my doctor to make sure it wasn’t Covid or another respiratory infection. The doctor ran basic bloodwork, which came out normal, and suggested that I may be feeling some inflammation from the poor air quality outside. She sent me home with an inhaler to try.

A day or so later, I started experiencing pain in the top and back of my left shoulder, as well as in the top of my left ribs. The pain would come and go and would get worse in certain positions, like lying down. As someone who partakes in fitness-related hobbies, I am no stranger to aches and pains. I tried doing the normal regimen of anti-inflammatories, rest, massage therapy, etc. but nothing gave me any relief. It was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced.

I made a follow up appointment with my doctor where she tested my shoulder for injuries, gave me a referral for PT, and sent me home with a muscle relaxer. She sent me for bloodwork again, but this time added a D-dimer test. My regular bloodwork came back normal, but I received a call asking me to come to the hospital for a CT scan due to my extremely high D-dimer results.

I got the CT scan done and the doctor called me while I was still at the hospital saying I need to go to the ER stat. They picked me up in the waiting room in a wheelchair and admitted me to the ER. I was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary emboli at 29 years old, with only my use of birth control as a risk factor.

Luckily, my hospital stay was short due to my stable vitals and no more than mild strain on my heart. The doctors were surprised I never experienced a DVT or any other typical symptoms and had normal bloodwork and vitals the entire time.

I truly didn’t give blood clots a second thought before experiencing mine. I never thought about them or the risk of them, and I didn’t feel like I heard about them too often. Now that I’m aware, I hear about them all the time and also try to share my experience and spread awareness."

Read more stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, play

Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, play a crucial role in preventing blood clots. But the cost of these medications can add up over time, making it challenging for some patients to access the treatment they need.

Did you know that a number of pharmaceutical companies offer savings programs for patients who are prescribed anticoagulants? More info at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #bloodthinners #anticoagulants #bloodclottreatment #bloodclotprevention #medicationsavings #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient

New research shows wearing compression socks for o

New research shows wearing compression socks for one year after deep vein thrombosis can help to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome, according to Dr. Suman Wasan of UNC Chapel Hill. She shared this update during our latest PEP Talk on blood clots and compression.

If you’ve experienced a DVT, have you found compression to be effective in preventing chronic pain and swelling associated with PTS? Tell us in the comments.

Watch the full PEP Talk and explore our PEP library at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #dvt #pts #deepveinthrombosis #postthromboticsyndrome #ptsprevention #compression #compressionsocks #ecs #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

"I was at work just sitting down when my heart sta

"I was at work just sitting down when my heart started racing. My Apple Watch alerted me that my heart was beating at 140 bpm, something I had never felt before. I chalked it up to just being overworked and tired.

So I sat down drank some water and took a break. My heart started to slow down and it finally went down to normal. I got up, cleaned up the salon, and left to go to a street fair. I felt fine the entire time I was there.

We decided to get some food elsewhere because the lines were so long. I finished my meal and while I was waiting I felt my heart racing again and fluttering in my chest. The fluttering in my chest made me cough. I started feeling faint so I got up and went to the bathroom, thinking it was just me being exhausted.

On the way home I felt a little faint. I went back to the salon to get my car and my heart started racing again.

At this time I started getting worried. I called my husband and I told him what I was feeling and he asked me if I needed to go to the hospital. I said no I think it’s exhaustion. He said to just come home. So I drank some water and started to drive home. As I was driving I started feeling worse. I prayed to God to let me get to the nearest hospital and I did.

I get to the ER and they do my vitals. My blood pressure was high and my heart bpm was at 200 now. I was very scared. They took me back right away. I told them about a pain underneath my bra cup near my ribs and they decided to do a CT scan. The results came back that I had two blood clots in both my lungs. One was a chronic pulmonary embolism and the other one was a new one.

Needless to say, if I had just driven home and chalked it up to just being overworked and tired, I would not be here to tell my story today. My doctors say I’m lucky.

It was very traumatic. The first couple of months were so hard and I just kept thinking I was going to die. Knowing that people do die from PEs was not helping. I had to meditate in order to ease my mind.

My advice to others is if you feel that anything abnormal is going on with your body, seek medical attention right away."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory

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