What is a thrombosis?
A thrombosis is a blood clot that is caused by three main factors. It can be caused by an injury to the blood vessel wall (e.g. due to an accident, an operation or the like), a slowed blood flow (due to anesthesia, lying down for a long time, heart failure, etc.) or a changed blood composition (e.g. due to medication or a congenital blood clotting disorder, etc.). .).
If a vessel is blocked by a blood clot, this leads to a blockage and thus to a lack of blood flow. This can have serious, life-threatening consequences.
There is venous thrombosis, where the blood clot is in a large vein (usually in the leg), and then there is also the risk of arterial thrombosis. In the latter, a blood clot narrows or blocks an artery and is often the cause of heart attacks or strokes.
Thrombosis must be treated quickly to reduce lasting damage. After the illness, the risk of recurrence is increased, so follow-up care and prophylaxis are essential.
Risk factors
Common risk factors for the formation of a blood clot include a family history, serious leg injuries, being overweight or major and long-term surgery. But smoking also increases the risk of thrombosis. In addition, people over 60 are particularly vulnerable.
Possible signs
A thrombosis may occur without any discomfort or major symptoms. However, blockage of a blood vessel, leg or pelvis can cause severe pain, swelling and redness in the affected part of the body. In addition, affected areas may be tender or warmer than others.
If you experience such symptoms, you should seek medical treatment immediately.
How can you prevent thrombosis?
First of all, you have to distinguish between avoidable and unavoidable risk factors. In principle, anyone can get a thrombosis. The risk of venous thrombosis can be reduced by reducing avoidable risks. These include, for example, being overweight and lack of exercise. Leg muscle training can reduce the risk of leg vein thrombosis.
If you have unavoidable risk factors for an illness, you should at least avoid all other risks. In addition, thrombosis prophylaxis measures should be discussed with doctors.