Blood Clots - Why You May Be At Risk

October 13 isWorld Thrombosis Day. BRIAN MOSETI sheds light on blood clots, risk factors and what you should look out for.

- Brian Moseti

Many women in Kenya know about the risk of breast cancer or heart disease but are unaware of yet another deadly medical threat they may face — thrombosis, more commonly known as blood clots. The late Janet Kanini, a much loved NTV presenter, battled this condition after being diagnosed with cancer.

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel, that is, a vein or artery. A clot that travels to the circulation is called an embolism. The most common form of thrombosis which occurs in the limbs include Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) Pulmonary Embolism that occurs in the lungs. The thrombus, once formed, can slow or block normal blood flow and sometimes it breaks loose and travels to other organs. The latest data confirms that 25 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by thrombosis.

Thrombosis and related venous illnesses can be misdiagnosed as in the case of Gladys Kimani, who was misdiagnosed when she was 13. Ms. Kimani was told that she had thyroid disease, which was causing her legs to swell. ‘For most of my secondary school, I had legs that appeared big, yet I have a narrow frame,’ Kimani reveals. She adds that although she felt different from other students, her positive attitude helped her ignore the mockery and humiliation she was subjected to sometimes.

At the time, her doctor had sent test samples to Germany, and based on the results he received, he advised her to ignore the condition and that told her that she should only get concerned if she experienced any pain.

When she turned 18, a second opinion revealed that her problem was her varicose veins. She had a condition that presents when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction - or to pool in one location.