Touching story also a thrombosis reminder

RE: ‘There will be joy back in this house’ (Sept. 29)

Jon Wells’ article on the Emerson family is heartbreaking. However, it also serves as a reminder that blood clots, also known as “thrombosis,” is a significant public health issue. One in four Canadians will die from thrombosis — the underlying cause of heart attack, stroke and venous thromboembolism (or VTE).

VTE is a condition in which blood clots form, most often in the leg veins (known as deep vein thrombosis), and can travel into the lungs (known as pulmonary embolism) causing life-threatening complications or death. Only 50 per cent of the public have heard of VTE. Yet, it is the leading cause of preventable hospital deaths (half of VTE cases are associated with hospitalization or surgery), and causes more deaths in Canada each year than breast cancer, HIV and motor vehicle accidents combined.

Hamilton is a world leader in developing ways to prevent and treat blood clots. Leading up to World Thrombosis Day on October 13, Thrombosis Canada is launching a #KnowThrombosis campaign to increase awareness of risk factors and how to recognize symptoms of blood clots. Please consider following #KnowThrombosis and @ThrombosisCan on Twitter, or visit www.thrombosiscanada.ca where you can find many resources about blood clots for patients and their families. Speak to your doctor if you suspect you may be at risk for blood clots. James Douketis MD, President, Thrombosis Canada, Physician, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Professor of Medicine, McMaster University