Andrew Choong: Recognizing Thrombosis Before It Becomes Life-Threatening
Andrew Choong, Founder and Medical Director of Andrew Choong Vascular Surgery, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Today is World Thrombosis Day – October 13.
Thrombosis means blood clots.
Blood clotting is normal, essential, and protective: it stops bleeding after cuts, injury, surgery, or trauma.
The danger starts when a clot forms inside a blood vessel where it should not, blocks blood flow, or breaks off and travels to another organ.
Thrombosis contributes to 1 in 4 deaths worldwide.
Arterial clots form in arteries.
They can block oxygen-rich blood to the brain, heart, or leg – causing stroke, heart attack, acute limb ischaemia, or limb-threatening vascular emergencies.
Venous clots form in veins.
The key condition to recognise is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, usually in the leg.
Signs of DVT:
- One-sided leg swelling
- Calf pain, tenderness, tightness, or cramping
- Warmth, redness, or a heavy painful leg
The major danger is pulmonary embolism, or PE – when part of a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.
PE can be life-threatening.
Signs of PE – emergency:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pain, especially on breathing in
- Fast heart rate, collapse, coughing blood, or feeling faint
Risk is higher after surgery, long flights, prolonged sitting or bed rest, cancer, pregnancy, hormone therapy, smoking, obesity, dehydration, previous clots, or inherited clotting conditions.
Prevention starts with movement, hydration, and knowing your risk.
On long flights or after surgery, calf exercises, walking when safe, and medical advice about compression or blood thinners may reduce risk in selected patients.
Seek urgent medical help for PE symptoms.
Get checked early for one-sided leg swelling or calf pain, especially if you have risk factors.
Blood clotting is normal.
Abnormal clotting can be deadly.
Know the signs.
Learn more.”
Proceed to the video attached to the post.
Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.
-
Oct 19, 2026, 11:37Beth Faiman: APSHO Fellows Celebrated for Advancing Hematology and Oncology Practice
-
Oct 19, 2026, 11:26Emanuele Pacini: Myelodysplastic Syndromes Research Featured at JSH Annual Meeting in Kyoto
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:57Jesmond Dalli: How Erythroblasts Shape Neutrophil Development and Function
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:41Hisham Fahmi: SCD – Should Gene Editing Begin Before Organ Damage?
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:33Pallavi Madhiraju: YARTEMLEA Faces Another European Rejection Despite FDA Approval
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:28Brig Tathagata Chatterjee: Acute Leukemias in AYAs at the Japanese Society of Hematology Conference
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:27Heather M. Johnson: Join the Discussion on Optimizing the CTEPH Diagnostic Pathway
-
Oct 19, 2026, 10:18Flora Peyvandi: Unravelling the Complexity of VWF Through Genetics
-
Oct 19, 2026, 09:55High DOAC Adherence in Patients With Ischemic Stroke and AF – International Journal of Stroke