What is Thrombosis ?
Venous thromboembolism or VTE, is a condition in which blood clots form.
Most commonly, blood clots form in the deep veins of the leg, these are known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Small parts of a blood clot can break off and travel in the blood stream to the lungs, this is known as pulmonary embolism or PE. A very serious and life threatening condition.
Blood clots can form in any part of the body. It is important to seek urgent medical attention if you suspect you have a DVT or a PE.
A DVT and a PE = a VTE (an extremely serious and potentially fatal condition)
Thrombosis remains a major cause of death in the UK yet many people have little or no understanding about the causes and effects of thrombosis, and how it can be prevented.
Thrombosis is the formation of potentially deadly blood clots. Blood clots can form in the artery (arterial thrombosis) or vein (venous thrombosis). Blood clots in the arteries cause heart attacks and strokes. Blood clots in the veins can lead to death due to breaking off and blocking the blood supply to the lungs:
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when blood clots in a deep vein (most often the leg)
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs
Collectively, DVT and PE are known venous thromboembolism - VTE.