Raising Awareness of Blood Clots and Women’s Health

Every year on 13 October, World Thrombosis Day led by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) brings together healthcare professionals, patients, organisations and communities worldwide to raise awareness of thrombosis, its risk factors, warning signs and prevention ¹.

BioDrug is pleased to support the World Thrombosis Day 2026 initiative, recognising the importance of increasing public awareness, encouraging early recognition of symptoms and supporting patient safety.

World Thrombosis Day 2026: Women's Health in Focus

The theme of World Thrombosis Day 2026, “Women’s Health and Blood Clots”, highlights the importance of understanding how thrombosis risk changes throughout a woman’s life, from reproductive years and pregnancy to menopause and beyond. From reproductive years and pregnancy to the postpartum period and menopause, women may experience specific risk factors associated with hormonal changes, medical conditions and certain treatments^1,2. The campaign encourages women to understand their individual risk factors, recognise warning signs and discuss appropriate preventive measures with healthcare professionals^1,2.

Understanding Thrombosis and Its Potential Consequences

Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot, known as a thrombus, forms inside a blood vessel. This can happen in either a vein, as in deep vein thrombosis, or an artery, such as a coronary artery. Once formed, a thrombus can slow or block normal blood flow. In some cases, a blood clot may break loose and travel through the bloodstream, potentially blocking a blood vessel elsewhere in the body. This is known as an embolism. Thrombosis is an often preventable underlying cause of serious cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack, thromboembolic stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Thrombosis is generally classified into two main types according to where the blood clot forms: venous thrombosis, which occurs in a vein, and arterial thrombosis, which occurs in an artery. Both types can be influenced by acquired or inherited risk factors, although the specific risk factors may differ². One of the forms of thrombosis is venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the leg (especially lower leg, etc.).
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow in a pulmonary artery. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Recognising thrombosis and its potential complications is essential because timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes^2,4. In the United States and Europe, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with more deaths than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and road traffic accidents combined. Worldwide, approximately one in four deaths is associated with conditions caused by thrombosis².

Risk Factors for Thrombosis

The main risk factors include²:

• Hospitalisation and surgery
• Prolonged immobility
• Personal or family medical history
• Cancer and cancer treatment
• Hormonal factors
• Pregnancy and the postpartum period
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Age
• Certain cardiovascular conditions

Recognising the Warning Signs

Early recognition of blood clot symptoms can help prevent serious complications. Possible signs of DVT include^2,4:

• Swelling, usually in one leg
• Pain or tenderness in the affected limb
• Warmth, redness or skin discoloration.

Possible signs of pulmonary embolism include^2,4:

• Sudden difficulty breathing
• Chest pain, particularly when taking a deep breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Coughing, sometimes accompanied by blood
• Very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism require immediate emergency medical attention. Suspected deep vein thrombosis also requires prompt medical assessment. Importantly, some individuals with DVT may experience no noticeable symptoms⁴.

Prevention Starts with Awareness

Many blood clots are preventable, particularly when risk factors are identified and appropriate preventive measures are implemented. Maintaining regular physical activity, avoiding prolonged immobility and following healthcare professionals' recommendations can help reduce the risk of thrombosis. In healthcare settings, thrombosis risk assessment is particularly important for patients undergoing surgery, experiencing prolonged hospitalisation or living with serious medical conditions.⁴ For women, individual risk assessment is especially relevant when considering hormonal contraception, planning pregnancy, receiving postpartum care or discussing menopausal hormone therapy.^2,3,5 Depending on the individual risk profile, healthcare professionals may recommend specific preventive measures, including appropriate medical treatment.⁴ Knowing your risks, recognising warning signs and seeking timely medical advice can make a difference.

Together, We Can Raise Awareness

On 13 October 2026, BioDrug joins the global community in supporting World Thrombosis Day. This year's focus on women's health reminds us that thrombosis prevention requires awareness at every stage of life. Discover the risks. Recognise the signs. Take action. Together, we can contribute to greater awareness, informed healthcare decisions and improved patient safety. Learn more about the global initiative at www.worldthrombosisday.org.

This article is intended for general disease awareness and educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

References:

1. International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. World Thrombosis Day 2026 campaign calls for greater awareness of women's blood clot risks [Internet]. 2026 Sep 10 [cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.isth.org/news/734608/
2. World Thrombosis Day. Women and blood clots: risk factors and prevention [Internet]. [cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/women-blood-clots/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk factors for blood clots [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; [cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/index.html
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About venous thromboembolism (blood clots) [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; [cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/about/index.html
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding your risk for blood clots with pregnancy [Internet]. Atlanta: CDC; [cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/pregnancy.html

Illustration: AI-generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) for illustrative purposes only.