Citizens' Campus: Thrombosis - a dangerous disease that can affect anyone

Thromboses can occur in various parts of the body. In the vast majority of cases, they occur in the legs. This is where the blood accumulates the most. A thrombosis does not always cause immediate symptoms.

The classic warning signs are: Pain, swelling and tightness in the legs. Often there is also a livid discoloration. Sometimes one leg feels warmer than the other.

It is not uncommon for the nonspecific symptoms to be misinterpreted, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths caused by thrombosis each year. This is because thrombosis can lead to pulmonary artery embolism, and up to 60 percent of all cases do. In this case, part of the blood clot breaks loose and travels with the bloodstream to the lungs, where it can then also block a vessel. The symptoms are: Shortness of breath, circulatory problems and even death.

In this lecture, let us explain the prophylactic measures and the diagnostic and treatment guidelines for thrombosis.