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Take Our Survey

Take Our Survey

We are embarking on an important project to build patient education for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This project has been funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), approved by the Johns Hopkins Medicine Institutional Review Board and is in collaboration with the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA).

The purpose of this study is to identify and prioritize topics of importance to patients and their families regarding VTE prevention that may be used to better educate hospitalized patients.

This project will comprise of a series of up to 5 Web-based surveys. In this first survey, we will ask some information about your background (Web link below). Your input in this assessment is very important, but is also completely voluntary. We estimate that each survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZPC9JHX

Thank you very much for your participation and your continued support.

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Help us prioritize educational topics of importance to patients & families for #DVT #PE #VTE prevention #PCORI #NBCA http://goo.gl/7ck3b1

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NBCA Presenting at Conference For Women Legislators

The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is honored to be presenting for the first time at the National Foundation for…

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The National Blood Clot Alliance is pleased to welcome a new member to its Board of Directors, Dan Walsh, MBA.…

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NBCA works to advance blood clot awareness, prevention, diagnosis & successful treatments to #stoptheclot.

"In 2016, I had surgery after tearing my Achilles

"In 2016, I had surgery after tearing my Achilles during a work softball game. My doctor told me I could return to work after two weeks, so I did.

The first week went as smoothly as could be and used a knee roller. By the following week, I was having a hard time catching my breath. I would take a few steps and then need to rest. I went to my car, hopping on one leg to put the knee roller in my backseat as I held onto my front door. I then hopped on one leg to my driver's seat and collapsed.

I remember thinking that I hoped someone would see me because I was so out of breath. I took a few minutes, gathered myself, and drove off. The next morning, I woke up still out of breath. I called the nurse line on the back of my insurance card, and they said, “Get to the hospital.”

The ER doctor told me he was determined to find out what was causing my increased heart rate and labored breathing. After several tests, he said it was blood clots.

My diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis and a pulmonary embolism. I had multiple blood clots in both lungs and a large one lodged between my heart and lungs.

I was in the hospital for the rest of the week, getting the highest dosage of Lovenox injections every 12 hours. I was being cared for by a hospitalist, cardiologist, hematologist, and occupational therapist.

I was put on blood thinners and remained under the care of my hematologist for a year. Since then, I've not dealt with any serious long-term effects from the blood clots. I've had two surgeries since, and have not had any blood clots. Praise God, I know that I am a walking miracle!

Now I'm very aware of any time my body feels “off.” If I have a warm spot on my leg, I monitor it closely. Before blood clots, I never would have thought twice about it.

The advice I would give to someone else is to know your body. Whenever you feel something is not right, get medical help."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #deepveinthrombsis #dvt #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #bloodthinners

Giving Tuesday is TOMORROW! Can we count on you to

Giving Tuesday is TOMORROW! Can we count on you to help us reach our goal?

Our patient community is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s your voice, your story, and your support that drives our mission forward.

We’ve made substantial progress this year but more work needs to be done to increase awareness and prevent this public health crisis so that fewer lives are lost to preventable blood clots.

With your generosity and support this Giving Tuesday, we can create an even larger impact in 2024. Will you join us?

Please consider making a donation TOMORROW, on Tuesday, November 28 at the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #givingtuesday #generosity #nonprofits #donate #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #fundraising #advocacy

Looking for another way to show your support for N

Giving Tuesday is FOUR days away, and we would be

Giving Tuesday is FOUR days away, and we would be honored to have your help raising funds. Your support helps spread life-saving information about blood clots and ensures our resources are available, at no cost to patients and caregivers, for years to come.

You can also show your support by spreading awareness as a volunteer. Consider setting up a table at a community event, distributing materials in your community or social network, or organizing a Lunch and Learn with your employer.

This year, the blood clot community helped achieve significant milestones but our work is far from over. More than 100,000 lives are still lost annually in the U.S. due to blood clots, and awareness of the signs and symptoms is unacceptably low. YOU can help change that.

Please show up this Giving Tuesday and help Stop the Clot!

For more info on how to help, see the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #givingtuesday #generosity #nonprofits #donate #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #fundraising #advocacy

"I woke at about 3 a.m. with the most intense stab

"I woke at about 3 a.m. with the most intense stabbing pain in the right-hand side of my chest, towards the back. I assumed that I had slept funny and that I had simply trapped a nerve or something. The pain was unbelievable, though. I took acetaminophen but it did nothing.

At 8 a.m., the phones for my doctor's surgery opened and I rang to see if one of the doctors could do anything to deaden the pain. It was December and I had arranged a team lunch at a pub near the office with about 12 people turning up. I was looking forward to it as we hadn't got together much since lockdown.

About 11 a.m. I got a phone call back and I described my symptoms to the doctor. I expected her to dismiss them, but she told me she would like to see me immediately.

So, I jumped in the car and headed there, thinking that I could go from there to the pub. She saw me straight away and we went through the symptoms again. She told me she thought I had a PE and that I needed to go straight to the ambulatory care unit at the local hospital.

I asked if I could go after lunch and she said no, I had to go straight there. After several tests, they injected me with heparin and told me I needed to come back the next day for a scan.

When the results came in, I was called in to see the doctor. He said that he was prepared to bet I didn't have clots in my lungs, but the scans had shown that I did. He put me on Apixaban immediately, and I will be on it for the rest of my days.

I have read a lot of other people's experiences, which has really brought home the fact that a PE really can be life-changing. It all happened so fast, and it was only after I had the diagnosis that it hit me that the outcome could have been so different.

I get tired a lot more easily now and I am frightened of long distance travel. I recently had the chance to go to Hong Kong for work but I declined due to the fear of clots developing.

I am so grateful to the GP I saw who reacted so quickly and the excellent National Health Service (the publicly funded healthcare system in England) team who worked to get to the diagnosis."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots

Today is Thanksgiving, of course, but did you know

Today is Thanksgiving, of course, but did you know that it’s also National Family Health History Day?

As Americans gather around the table, we encourage everyone to have open conversations about your own family health history, specifically any occurrence of blood clots.

While risk factors such as surgery, trauma, or prolonged immobility can contribute to the development blood clots, genetics also plays a significant role.

Take action today to shed light on your own medical history and the medical histories of relatives who came before you so that proper preventative measures can be taken. It could save a life!

Read more about the genetics of blood clots at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #thanksgiving #familyhealthhistoryday #bloodclots #inheritedthrombophilia #thrombophilia #bloodclottingdisorder

Calling all blood clot awareness advocates! The Na

Calling all blood clot awareness advocates! The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is on a mission to raise $5,000 on Giving Tuesday, which is LESS THAN ONE WEEK from today, on November 28.

To help spread awareness and sustain NBCA’s life-saving resources and online support community, please consider joining the Giving Tuesday Challenge!

Join the challenge or donate at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #givingtuesday #generosity #nonprofits #donate #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #fundraising #advocacy

"In October 2021, I had a fall that caused my left $"In October 2021, I had a fall that caused my left knee to dislocate. It was determined that I had fractured my patella, and torn the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) in my knee. Since I had a history of dislocations, I opted for an MPFL reconstruction to reduce the chance of dislocation in the future. I had MPFL reconstruction and an open reduction-internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to fix my fractured patella. After my surgery, I was not educated on the signs of blood clots. Just days after coming home, I started to have cramping in my left calf and my ankle was swelling. I was told to take more pain medication. At my two-week post-op appointment, I brought up the pain and swelling to my surgeon. He renewed my pain medication prescription and told me he wasn't concerned about blood clots because I was too young. Over the next five weeks, the pain got worse, and the swelling spread. I reached out to my surgeon and several advice nurses, but I was dismissed and given more pain medication. At my six-week post-op appointment, I again brought up the swelling and that I was experiencing cramping in my groin and was dismissed. Seven weeks after my surgery, I went to the ER after my partner insisted I get another opinion. I was diagnosed with a DVT that extended from the back of my knee through my pelvis into my inferior vena cava which was provoked by my knee surgery. There was barely blood flow to my foot and immediate action was taken..." Read Jessi's full story at the link in bio. #stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #bloodclots #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #knowyourrisk #misdiagnosed #thrombectomy #kneesurgery$

Have you listened to the latest episode of “Taki

Have you listened to the latest episode of “Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast” yet?

Tatyana McFadden, a 20X Paralympic medalist known as the fastest woman in the world, discusses how she contended with the psychological impact of blood clots, which can be just as challenging as the physical recovery. Can you relate?

Check it out at the link in bio, and be sure to follow, comment and share!

#stoptheclot #takingabreath #podcast #bloodclotpodcast #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotsurvivor #paralympics #tatyanamcfadden #wheelchairracing #bloodclotstory @tatyanamcfaddenusa

Today is Public Health Thank You Day! Public heal

Today is Public Health Thank You Day!

Public health professionals play a crucial role in blood clot prevention, treatment, and awareness. Their role extends beyond individual health to encompass community-wide efforts, education, and policy initiatives aimed at reducing the number of people affected by blood clots.

Thank you to every public health professional for your dedication to making our communities safer and healthier. Thank you for saving lives. And thank you for your commitment to better health for everyone.

We also want to thank our own Medical and Scientific Advisory Board (MASAB) members, as well as members of our Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis (CERT). We’re grateful for your commitment to advancing VTE patient care and your dedication to expanding research efforts in the field of thrombosis.

We encourage others to join us in recognizing the public health workforce today!

#stoptheclot #publichealththankyouday #PHTYD #publichealth #publichealthheroes #thankyou #MASAB #CERT

"In March 2019, I woke up with my left leg all red

"In March 2019, I woke up with my left leg all red and swollen. Thanks to God and the speed with which I received medical attention, the doctors saved my life and also my leg.

I was in hospital for four days and I had two surgeries. They put a filter in my vena cava and a stent in my iliac vein.

My current diagnosis is chronic deep thrombosis, I still have my filter, will take Xarelto for life, and wear compression stockings.

My deep vein thrombosis was unexplained, I had no family history of thrombosis, I was healthy, and did not suffer from any diseases.

Although my life has changed since that day and I often have many fears and days when my health is not good, I have made the decision to live day by day with joy, to work bringing joy to others, and to enjoy every moment with my dear husband and children.

My advice to others is to be aware of the changes in your body, don't ignore the symptoms, go to the doctor, and follow the indicated treatments.

Don't give up, keep going. Every day is a new opportunity to be grateful for having survived, it is a new opportunity to love yourself and those around you.

I’m thankful to NBCA for allowing me to know other stories of survival and to share mine with you."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #chronicdvt #chronicdeepveinthrombosis #bloodthinners #venacavafilter #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness

Giving Tuesday is coming up on November 28, and we

Giving Tuesday is coming up on November 28, and we need your support to reach our goal of $5,000!

Your support on Giving Tuesday can make a substantial difference in 2024. Together, we can ensure that lifesaving resources such as PEP Talk and our online support group continue serving the growing number of people seeking support from NBCA every day at no cost to patients.

Maximize your impact by becoming a monthly donor, like Maricatherine, to help us continue serving patients for years to come!

To learn how to become a monthly donor, check out the link in bio!

#stoptheclot #givingtuesday #generosity #nonprofits #donate #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #fundraising #advocacy

Many Americans will be traveling for Thanksgiving

Many Americans will be traveling for Thanksgiving this week, making it a perfect time to review how to prevent blood clots while traveling for extended periods in a vehicle, on an airplane, train or any mode of transport you use!

Sitting for hours at a time increases the risk for blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot that typically forms in the legs, and pulmonary emboli (PE), a blood clot in the lungs, which can be life-threatening.

While most people can travel safely without the risk of a DVT or PE, some risk factors increase the likelihood of developing a clot, including a personal or family history; recent hospitalization, surgery, or injury; current or recent pregnancy; taking birth control pills of estrogen-based hormone replacement therapy; cancer; obesity; and older age.

Here are some ways to prevent blood clots while traveling:

- Stay hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, your blood vessels narrow, and your blood thickens, increasing your risk for blood clots. Make sure to drink water and avoid alcohol and soft drinks.
- Get up and move. Sitting for four hours or longer can increase the chances of a blood clot developing, so it’s important to stand and walk on an airplane and stop for breaks while in a car.
- Do leg exercises in your seat. If you can’t get up, you can move your legs and feet while sitting to keep the blood flowing. Try making ankle circles by rotating your ankles in a circular motion in each direction; lifting your knees to the chest one at a time and holding it for several seconds; and extending your legs out straight and holding it in place.
- Wear compression socks. Properly fitted compression socks can reduce the risk for blood clots while traveling.
- If you take an anticoagulant, or blood thinning medication, make sure to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. (Also, don’t forget to pack your medication!)

At the link in bio, watch our Mini PEP Talk for more blood clot prevention travel tips. Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe!

#stoptheclot #bloodclotprevention #traveltips #holidaytravel

Being diagnosed with a blood clot can be devastati

Being diagnosed with a blood clot can be devastating. Suddenly, you have new medication to take, new terminology to learn, new doctors to visit, and sometimes even a new lifestyle to consider. You don’t have to face this alone, though. Our Facebook support group is filled with people who can lift you up, cheer you on, and offer comfort when you need it most. Join at the link in bio and we’ll see you there!

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #bloodclotsupportgroup #facebooksupportgroup #bloodclotrecovery #bloodclotawareness #dvtsupportgroup #pesupporgroup

"I’m an artist, and I was editing and spending l

"I’m an artist, and I was editing and spending long hours working with few breaks. In addition, I didn’t get up on my last flight from Washington, DC to Los Angeles.

Prior to traveling, I noticed swelling in one leg, but I ignored it. Upon my return, I took a one-mile walk that normally takes 15-20 minutes. It took over 40 minutes because I had to keep stopping to catch my breath. Doing simple daily tasks made me feel like my lungs were about to explode, and I had heart palpitations. Yet, I ignored the signs and attributed it to my age.

Eventually, I could barely make it up the stairs. I shared this with a friend who I happened to be on the phone with at the time. I told him my breathing had quickly deteriorated upon my return from DC.

He could hear the distress in my voice and encouraged me to call the doctor because he thought it sounded very much like a blood clot in the lungs.

I agreed, and 40 minutes later, I was in the ER receiving life-saving treatment. My heart was in distress, my breathing had declined and, according to the doctors who helped me, I was critical, and they were glad I came in.

I was given blood thinner injections in my belly. I am so grateful to be alive and to have had a conversation with my friend, who remembered the symptoms of a blood clot from his army days.

Now, I move every hour. I also use compression socks and listen to my body.

Artists have a tendency to get in our zone and ignore the value of exercising. I often would work from 7 a.m. until 3 a.m. the next day. No project is worth losing your life over. It's OK to take a break and come back to a project with a renewed focus. And don’t ignore your body’s cry for help."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #travel #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #artist

Giving Tuesday is November 28 — a week and a hal

Giving Tuesday is November 28 — a week and a half away! Have you saved the date? We’re counting on the blood clot community to come together to support NBCA and encourage others to do the same.

Here’s an action you can take today: Download our Giving Tuesday toolkit in preparation for the big day! It contains social messaging, fundraising links, and ideas for blood clot awareness initiatives. Make sure to share this toolkit with your family and friends, too!

Download the toolkit at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #givingtuesday #generosity #nonprofits #donate #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #fundraising #advocacy

NEW EPISODE! We’re excited to share that the sec

NEW EPISODE! We’re excited to share that the second episode of “Taking a Breath: A Stop the Clot Podcast” is now available on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode, 20X Paralympic medalist Tatyana McFadden, known as the fastest woman in the world, discusses her initial diagnosis at age 18, her recurrence 10 years later, the physical and emotional pain blood clots have caused her, and how she overcame these obstacles.

Check it out at the link in bio, and be sure to follow, comment and share!

#stoptheclot #takingabreathpodcast #bloodclotawareness #DVT #VTE #PE #bloodclotsurvivor #paralympics @tatyanamcfaddenusa

NBCA is in Orlando, Florida this week meeting with

NBCA is in Orlando, Florida this week meeting with female lawmakers from across the country to rally support for life-saving policies to enhance the awareness, timely diagnosis, prevention, treatment and surveillance of blood clots!

The National Foundation for Women Legislators’ annual conference, held November 16-18, brings together women lawmakers to collaborate and exchange legislative ideas. It’s an opportunity for NBCA to develop bipartisan relationships with state legislators who can champion policies like Senate Bill 612 in Florida, also known as the Emily Adkins Prevention Act, which can serve as a template for other states.

SB 612 was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature and signed into law earlier this year. It establishes the creation of a policy workgroup to examine how blood clots and pulmonary emboli affect the lives of Floridians and will make policy recommendations regarding the standard of care for blood clot patients.

Read more at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #NFWL #NFWL2023 #electedwomen #womenlead #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention @electedwomen

Meet Jack Armstrong, November’s Volunteer of the

Meet Jack Armstrong, November’s Volunteer of the Month! Sporting the iconic red polka dot Team Stop the Clot jersey, Jack not only conquered the NYC Marathon with an impressive finish time of four hours and 22 minutes, but he also raised more than $11,600 for the National Blood Clot Alliance.

Jack's commitment goes beyond the marathon course. As the co-founder of Bob’s Pizza Tour, he hosted our charity team and their families for a private pre-race tour to experience some of the best pizza NYC has to offer, ensuring our team was fueled up on much-needed carbohydrates for the big day.

Jack became involved with NBCA because his father, Jim, was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in 2018. Jack ran the marathon’s 26.2 miles in honor of his father and the 900,000 other Americans diagnosed every year with blood clots.

Jack's dedication and exceptional fundraising efforts make him a true hero to our mission. He’s a great example of the impact one person can make in the fight against blood clots. Thank you, Jack!

Learn how to get involved with NBCA at the link in bio.

@snackarmstrong @bobspizzatour #stoptheclot #teamstoptheclot #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2023 #tcsnycmarathon #volunteerofthemonth #fundraising #charityrace #bobspizzatour

"I woke up in the middle of the night and could ba

"I woke up in the middle of the night and could barely breathe. I booked an appointment with my local urgent care for the next morning.

They took an X-ray of my lungs for pneumonia, but it was clear, so I was sent home.

A couple weeks later, I got a sharp pain in my right leg and was having trouble walking. It literally felt like knives were stabbing my leg every time I took a step or stood up.

Up to this time, I avoided going to the ER because of the long wait times and just took Ibuprofen, but the pain became too severe.

At the hospital, I was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in my right leg, and a CT scan found clots in both lungs (pulmonary emboli).

Being a young healthy male with no risk factors or genetics, this was definitely shocking to find out. I’ve learned the value of good health, and my diagnosis makes me want to stay more active and eat healthier.

My advice to others is to be as active as you can and drink lots of water."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #bloodclotstory #bloodclotprevention #pulmonaryembolism #pe #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #misdiagnosed

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