Around 10,000 people in Austria suffer a thrombosis every year, which in the worst case scenario leads to a fatal pulmonary embolism. Dominic Mühlberger, a venous specialist from Linz and President of the German Society for Phlebology and Lymphology, explains in the “healthy & happy” podcast how thrombosis can occur.
OÖN: What is a thrombosis and where can it occur?
Dominic Mühlberger: In principle, a thrombosis is nothing more than a blood clot. Such a clot can form anywhere in the body – both in arteries and veins. When we talk about “thrombosis” in everyday life, we usually mean deep vein thrombosis in the leg. A blood clot blocks a deep vein and, in an emergency, can lead to a pulmonary embolism or other complications.
What symptoms do those affected notice when they have a thrombosis?
Swelling, pain and sometimes redness on the affected leg are typical. Patients often notice that one leg is suddenly thicker than the other. Drawing pain and an increase in circumference can also be warning signs. You should be particularly careful after long journeys or after operations.
Who is most at risk of thrombosis?
The risk generally increases with age, but other factors also play a role. There are congenital risks, such as genetic clotting disorders, and external factors such as inflammation, surgery or lack of exercise. Illnesses such as cancer or taking certain medications such as birth control pills also increase the risk.
What role does family predisposition play?
One should be particularly careful in families where there are many known cases of thrombosis. For example, if close relatives were affected at a young age or you yourself had a thrombosis for no explainable reason, you may have a genetic coagulation disorder. There are special tests to determine this.
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