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National Blood Clot Awareness Month

NBCA Awareness Month Activities

March 14 and 28 Capitol Hill Briefings The NBCA will host two awareness briefings on Capitol …

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The Federal Government’s Role in Blood Clot Prevention

CDC funding for blood disorders to address conditions affecting millions with blood clots, …

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NBCA Hosting 5th Annual Fun Run in Honor of World Thrombosis Day

Did you know that World Thrombosis Day takes place every year on October 13 to turn the world’s attention to…

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Take the NBCA Patient Experience Survey

National Blood Clot Alliance is conducting a research study about the experiences of patients with venous blood clots at the…

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

September 25 is World Pharmacists Day, a time to a

September 25 is World Pharmacists Day, a time to applaud the invaluable contributions that pharmacists make to health care and their communities. Pharmacists are especially important to blood clot patients taking anticoagulants, or blood thinners.

Pharmacists provide support in medication management, safety, education, and adherence. As medication experts, they optimize treatment and enhance the quality of life for blood clot patients through personalized care, monitoring, and follow-up.

Thank you to all of the pharmacists who not only dispense medication but also offer support and advice to the blood clot community!

NBCA’s New Patient Guide is a comprehensive resource for blood clot patients, detailing the vital role of pharmacists and the entire medical team. Have you downloaded your New Patient Guide yet? Do so at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #pharmacists #worldpharmacistsday #bloodclotcare #anticoagulants #bloodthinners #medication #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

🌟 Celebrate Women’s Health & Take Action! 🌟

Today we’re celebrating National Women’s Health & Fitness Day — a day dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health! Whether you join a fitness class, schedule a preventive health screening, or begin making healthier dietary choices, it's a perfect reminder to prioritize your well-being.

We invite you to take action to honor your health: Sign up for NBCA’s 5th Annual Fun Run in honor of World Thrombosis Day (October 13)!

October 11-14, you can choose to run, walk or roll a distance of one mile, 5K, or 10K—anywhere, anytime!

Stay active, connect with others, and honor your journey to recovery and health. Let’s keep moving together!

📝Sign up today at the link in bio!

Tag a friend who inspires you!

#stoptheclot #worldthrombosisday #bloodclots #funrun #charityrace #virtualrace #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotevent #bloodclotprevention #racetostoptheclot #WTD2024 #womenshealth #nationalwomenshealthday #bloodclotsurvivor #PEsurvivor

"In January 2024, I started having a hard time wal

"In January 2024, I started having a hard time walking up a long hill to get to my car after work. It got to the point where it scared me how hard I was breathing by the time I got to the top.

In February, I had a pre-surgical exam for a shoulder replacement scheduled in March. Every test came back normal. I had surgery on March 13. All was fine until I developed an infection at the surgical site and exactly one month post-op and I had to have the replacement re-done.

I ended up with a PICC line and had nurse visits at home and injections of antibiotics three times per day. During this time, I noticed some slight difficulty breathing but was so focused on everything else I didn't think much of it.

In May, I finally saw my PCP and she ordered a pulmonary function test because I couldn't walk 10 feet without sitting down. I couldn't get in for the test until July.

At a scheduled appointment with my doctor, I mentioned my symptoms and he ordered a D-dimer. The results were crazy high. On the Friday before Memorial Day, I went to the emergency department, where I was diagnosed with DVTs in both calves and multiple bilateral PEs in both lungs. I spent five days in the hospital on IV heparin and was released on oral apixaban

When I followed up with my PCP, her comment was, 'I never even considered a blood clot.'

I had two major surgeries when I already had clots. I feel lucky to be alive."

Learn how to protect yourself from post-surgical blood clots at our next PEP Talk on Oct. 8. Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #bloodclots #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #shoulderreplacement #shouldersurgery #piccline #HAVTE #postsurgerybloodclots #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

NBCA Thrombassadors raise blood clot awareness in

NBCA Thrombassadors raise blood clot awareness in their communities, and we need your help to extend our reach!

Our goal is to have Thrombassadors in every state across the US. So far, we have coverage in 42 states, with just eight states remaining to achieve full participation.

If you’re a blood clot survivor, caregiver, or advocate in any of the following states, please consider volunteering your time to spread blood clot awareness in your community!

- Alaska
- Kansas
- Maine
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- West Virginia

Go to the link in bio for more information and to sign up!

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

The New York Marathon is less than two months away

The New York Marathon is less than two months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! As the November 3 race date draws near, we’re showcasing each of the remarkable individuals who will run the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

Meet Shane Kelly from Boston! While he may not have a personal connection to blood clots, Shane's passion for making a difference led him to join Team Stop the Clot.

“I heard about Team Stop the Clot through word of mouth. Even without a personal tie to blood clots, I felt compelled to join Team Stop the Clot to raise funds and awareness for a great cause and have a positive impact on the community.”

Join us in supporting Shane’s mission to fight blood clots at the link in bio! Every donation makes a difference.

#stoptheclot #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #bloodclots #charityrace #fundraising #pulmonaryembolism #pe #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

"I hurt my knee, and after 10 months of physical t

"I hurt my knee, and after 10 months of physical therapy, I found myself having a meniscus repair surgery.

Post-surgery, I was in physical therapy again. About six weeks after surgery, I noticed more swelling, which I attributed to being at work for some very long days and not having time to walk around as much as usual.

One morning, I arrived at my physical therapy appointment and my therapist seemed worried. She asked me how long my right calf had been swollen. I told her it felt muscular to me. She opted to take some photos and send them to the orthopedic physician’s assistant.

The PA called and recommended an ultrasound, though without a lot of heat and discoloration, she didn't think it was a DVT. Within two hours, I was at the hospital's vascular clinic for an ultrasound.
Since they let me leave immediately, I assumed things were fine.

But about an hour later, I got a call from an ortho nurse. She told me that they did find a popliteal and femoral DVT, and I needed to pick up a prescription right away for apixaban. They'd called it into my usual pharmacy. She instructed me to go to the ER if I had any shortness of breath or other PE symptoms.

Two days later, I struggled to breathe and had some dizziness, so I went to the ER. I got a CT and they found a submassive PE with evidence of right heart strain. I was admitted and spent the weekend in the hospital.

Because the timing was strange, I did see a hematologist (as well as a great pulmonologist) and found I was heterozygous for FVL. My grandma also died of a PE. I'm now taking apixaban for life, and I credit my PT and orthopedic clinic for their action!"

Learn how to protect yourself from post-surgical blood clots at our next PEP Talk on Oct. 8. Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #kneesurgery #HAVTE #postsurgerybloodclots #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodthinners

Just over four years ago, Arshell Brooks-Harris lo

Just over four years ago, Arshell Brooks-Harris lost her firstborn child, Leschel Brooks, to a pulmonary embolism. As Secretary of NBCA’s Board of Directors, Arshell continues spreading awareness at every opportunity. This week, she told her story on When Joshua Speaks, a podcast by Joshua “El Venenoso” Rodriguez, who lost his wife to a PE.

Thank you, Joshua and Arshell, for raising awareness. Listen at the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts.

@whenjoshuaspeaks @shelly_shell69 #stoptheclot #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pefatality #bloodclotpodcast #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotprevention #bloodcloteducation

The hospital is where we go to get better, but hos

The hospital is where we go to get better, but hospitalization may also increase your risk of life-threatening blood clots. About half of all blood clots occur during or within three months of a hospital stay or surgery, of which nearly 70 percent are preventable.

Join us for our October PEP Talk, where we’ll discuss how to prevent hospital-associated blood clots and protect your post-procedure health with our guest, Dr. Elliott Haut of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Learn more about hospitalization as a risk factor for blood clots in this educational video, and make sure to register for the October PEP Talk at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #stoptheclot #peptalk #bloodclots #hospitalassociatedbloodclots #knowyourrisk #livewebinar #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention #HAVTE

📣 Calling All Venous Blood Clot Survivors: Let

📣 Calling All Venous Blood Clot Survivors: Let your voice be heard! Take part in a confidential research study to better understand patient experiences at the time of diagnosis and treatment.

We also want to learn more about your feelings concerning clinical studies, and your willingness to engage in further discussions about clinical study design.

For more information and to participate in the study, go to the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #patientsurvey #venousbloodclotsurvey #bloodclotpatients #bloodclotsurvivors #patientresearch #bloodclotresearch

"In 2006, I completed my lacrosse fall season in

"In 2006, I completed my lacrosse fall season in my senior year at Eastern University. I was experiencing a lot of knee pain and after an examination, I was diagnosed with a torn meniscus. I needed knee surgery to clean out the knee and fix the tear.

The day after my surgery, I noticed that my foot was cold and I had some calf pain. The pain felt like a mild cramp, except the sensation never went away.

About 48 hours after surgery, the pain continued to worsen and my foot became extremely cold regardless of how many socks I put on. After a phone call to my surgeon, I was told to report directly to the emergency room for a CT scan of my leg and calf.

My diagnosis was three DVTs in my left leg, and I would need to report to my doctor's office for further instructions.

For three months, I gave myself a shot twice a day. After three months I was cleared to play lacrosse in my senior year.

In 2013, after a 14-hour road trip to Maine, I experienced significant calf pain again. I was diagnosed with another DVT in the same leg as before. I was told it was probably bad luck based on the previous clot and that I should be careful with sitting for too long.

In 2022, again after a long road trip, I experienced calf pain. Back to the ER and back on blood thinners. This time, I was referred to a hematologist. I am negative for factor V. I was put on rivaroxaban indefinitely.

Since I would be on blood thinners for life, I made some changes to my health and activity level. Running and biking have become not only a necessity to alleviate leg pain but also to improve my health as a whole. Over the last year, I completed a half marathon and a metric century (100K) on my bike and I'm looking to complete a full marathon."

Learn how to protect yourself from post-surgical blood clots at our next PEP Talk on Oct. 8. *Link in bio*

#stoptheclot #stoptheclotstory #bloodclots #kneesurgery #hospitalassociatedbloodclots #deepveinthrombosis #dvt #dvtsurvivor #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotsurvivor #marathon #athlete

It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle a

It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle after a blood clot in order to prevent a recurrence. If you’re a blood clot survivor, we have a great way for you to ease back into exercise: NBCA’s 5th Annual Fun Run.

Anywhere and anytime between October 11-14, you can choose to run, walk or roll a distance of one mile, 5K, or 10K in commemoration of World Thrombosis Day (October 13).

It’s a perfect way to stay active, connect with others, and honor your journey to recovery. Let’s keep moving together! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

👉 Sign up today at the link in bio.

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awaren

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, a day to address HIV’s impact on adults 50 and older.

Did you know that older age and HIV are both risk factors for blood clots? Patients who are diagnosed with HIV are at 2-10 times greater risk of developing a blood clot than the general population. Help reduce stigma and promote prevention, testing, and treatment among older adults. More info at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #NHAAD #stophivtogether #knowyourrisk #hiv #aids #bloodclots #olderadults #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

The New York Marathon is less than two months away

The New York Marathon is less than two months away and training for Team Stop the Clot runners is in full swing! As the November 3 race date draws near, we’re showcasing each of the remarkable individuals who will run the iconic 26.2 miles in support of NBCA.

Hilary Malecha is running in honor of her father Mike, who died of a pulmonary embolism in March.

“I want to raise money and awareness to prevent anyone else's family from experiencing the pain my family has felt from my father's unexpected passing this March from a pulmonary embolism. One blood clot changed my entire world and took my biggest hero and supporter from me and my family way too soon. The ironic thing is he would think running 26.2 miles was nuts! ‘Better you than me,’ he would say as he laughed his quintessential shoulder-shrugging laugh. That wouldn’t have stopped him from being there to support me and my equally crazy friends, Emily Fetherston and Katie San Felipe, through this training and race day.”

Support Hilary’s fundraiser for NBCA at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #bloodclots #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotpatient #anticoagulants #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #bloodclotawareness

"My husband and took a trip to Destin, Florida for

"My husband and took a trip to Destin, Florida for a long weekend after finding out my breast biopsy surgery was benign. We drove 14 hours in one day from Michigan and returned a few days later, only stopping twice for gas.

I returned to work and walked to my office, up two flights of stairs. I felt out of breath and joked I must have overdone it on my short trip with sweets and drinks. After work, while coaching my son’s 1st-grade robotics team, I started feeling achy all over. I took some ibuprofen and continued on.

Later that night, I was prepping for a big interview in the morning and I still didn’t feel good. I decided to take a Covid test, which was negative. So I took another dose of ibuprofen and went to bed at 10 p.m.

Around 1 a.m. I woke up with pain between my shoulder blades and the right side of my chest. I thought maybe it was gas, but the pain progressively got worse when I laid down or took deep breaths.

Knowing I had this interview at 7 a.m., I thought I’d just make it through that and get it checked out after. But by 3 a.m., I woke up my husband said I think I need to go to the hospital. I walked into the ER complaining of chest pains every time I took a breath.

I was seen immediately and blood work showed elevated platelets and high D-dimer. A CT was ordered. The results showed that I had multiple bilateral PEs and a large clot causing right heart strain.

I was immediately placed on a heparin drip and transferred to another hospital where I underwent a thrombectomy 18 hours later. No DVT was ever found.

The clot was the size of a golf ball. When I saw my hematologist later, he said on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being death, I was at a 9.

Testing ensued and no genetic factors were found. I was placed on apixaban for a year and then as needed when traveling over two hours.

Also, because of my blood clot experience, I was able to help an employee get medical attention for a DVT based on hearing his symptoms.

My advice to others is to pay attention when your body talks to you. And don’t be afraid to go to the ER. It’s why they are there. Recovery is a slow process, but it does happen."

Read more patient stories at the link in bio.

Today is World Patient Safety Day, a time for heal

Today is World Patient Safety Day, a time for healthcare providers and patients to work together to increase patient safety.

This year’s theme is focused on recognizing the crucial role of a correct and timely diagnosis in improving patient safety.

People suffering from deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism are often misdiagnosed because these conditions can mimic other issues. Many of our patient stories reflect the serious consequences that can happen when the voices of patients are not heard.

In fact, a 2023 NBCA survey of blood clot survivors showed that 35 percent didn’t receive the correct diagnosis the first time they sought treatment, and 50 percent had at least three health care visits before they were correctly diagnosed.

We stand with patients who have had to become the “squeaky wheel” by insisting on more testing until a correct diagnosis is made.

Read stories of patients who used their voices to get the care they needed at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #worldpatientsafetyday #patientsafety #misdiagnosed #misdiagnosis #bloodclots #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Did you know that both the sickle cell trait (SCT) and sickle cell disease (SCD) can increase the risk for blood clots?

In the United States, 1-3 million people have the sickle cell trait (SCT), and of those, 100,000 have sickle cell disease (SCD). A 2020 study published by the American Society of Hematology found that individuals with SCD have up to a four-fold higher risk of developing VTE compared to the general population.

SCT disproportionately affects the Black community. However, new research unveiled last week shows that SCT is a modest risk factor for blood clots across all populations.

A study by the National Institutes of Health and 23andMe researchers found that the SCT isn’t only an issue for Black and African Americans.

“Because sickle cell trait is often associated with people who identify as Black or African American, it is not widely studied in other populations, a bias that has led to unintended harm for those with sickle cell trait,” says Vence Bonham Jr., who co-led the study.

Read more at the link in bio.

@nihgov @23andme #stoptheclot #bloodclots #sicklecellawareness #nationalsicklecellawarenessmonth #sct #sicklecelltrait #bloodclotawareness #bloodclotresearch #bloodcloteducation #knowyourrisk

🩸 Maternal Mortality & Blood Clots: Know the Ri

🩸 Maternal Mortality & Blood Clots: Know the Risks, Save Lives 🩸

Did you know blood clots are a leading cause of maternal death in the US, which disproportionately impacts Black Americans? Early detection and prevention are critical. If you're expecting or recently gave birth, talk to your doctor about the signs of blood clots and the steps you can take to reduce your risk.

We were inspired to have attended the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute in Atlanta last week, joining more than 600 Black maternal health advocates fostering collaboration and shining a light on this important issue.

Let's protect new moms and ensure every pregnancy ends with a healthy outcomes for all families. Share this video to spread awareness and assess your risk at the link in bio.

@blackmamasmatter #stoptheclot #BMHC24 #bloodclots #maternalmortality #newmamasmatter #postpartumbloodclots #pregnancy #maternalbloodclots #knowyourrisk

Ken Counihan of Cleveland, Ohio was a 62-year-old

Ken Counihan of Cleveland, Ohio was a 62-year-old runner who had no known blood clot risk factors (other than his age) when he nearly died of a pulmonary embolism in 2022. His Apple Watch tipped him off that he had low blood oxygen levels, prompting him to seek quick care.

Ken tells his story in the latest edition of Parade. Hear how Dr. Leben Tefera from the Cleveland Clinic, a member of NBCA’s Council of Emerging Researchers in Thrombosis (CERT), helped Ken through his ordeal.

Read the piece at the link in bio.

@parademag #stoptheclot #bloodclots #pulmonaryembolism #pe #pesurvivor #smartwatch #bloodclotsurvivor #bloodclotprevention #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteduccation #parademagazine #CERT

Are you or a loved one facing a hospital stay soon

Are you or a loved one facing a hospital stay soon? It’s crucial to know that hospital stays—especially for surgery, trauma, or a serious illness like cancer—can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening blood clots.

Here are key risk factors for hospital-associated blood clots:

- Pregnancy
- Cancer and its treatments
- Personal or family history of blood clots
- Birth control or hormone therapy with estrogen
- Smoking
- Overweight
- Age 55 or older
- Long-term diseases such as heart and lung conditions or diabetes

Learn more about hospital-associated blood clots and how to prevent them at our next PEP Talk on Tuesday, October 8 at 7 p.m. Register at the link in bio.

#stoptheclot #peptalk #bloodclots #hospitalassociatedbloodclots #knowyourrisk #livewebinar #bloodclotawareness #bloodcloteducation #bloodclotprevention #kneesurgery #safesurgery

"I want to advocate for new moms-to-be so they don

"I want to advocate for new moms-to-be so they don't die as our daughter did—right here in Northern Virginia. The United States has one of the most advanced health care systems in the world, yet pulmonary emboli are a leading cause of death among new mothers, even in highly educated, highly served areas.

Monica lived just outside of Washington, DC where the health care is generally excellent, and yet she has died from a treatable ailment. Please listen and spread the word of 'Monica’s Plea' not just to new moms, but to all who are in contact with new moms. Information and awareness prior to giving birth is key to stopping premature deaths for mothers. We must also get the word out to doctors, nurses, hospitals, midwives, medical schools, clinics, and women of childbearing age.

New mom-to-be, as you and your family are planning for the arrival of the new little one, I implore you to include some essential education for yourself. Not all doctors’ offices, midwives, and hospitals effectively communicate the warning signs of a potential PE pulmonary embolism. A PE is when a blood clot in a vein is carried to the lungs, usually resulting in death.

I want to passionately inform you in memory of our late daughter Monica to please call your doctor with any new symptoms after delivery (and up to a year postpartum) to learn if you should be concerned and need to go to the ER.

Symptoms include throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. Please don’t put off telling your doctor until your six-week follow-up. Monica thought her calf tightness that caused her to limp was from the epidural, and she 'hurt all over' from her hard labor. Twelve days after giving birth, she collapsed and died of a PE, leaving her family bereft and her infant son without his mother.

Many have wondered, 'How could this have happened in 2024?' Our daughter was an athlete and suffered her share of injuries. She and her husband were sleep-deprived caring for their new son, and Monica wasn’t thinking about herself..."

Continue reading Monica's story at the patient stories link in bio.

#stoptheclot #monicasplea

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