Here you will find important facts and figures
about blood clots in hospital, as well as information about what to do next if
you or someone you know, is at risk.
After all, it could be your father… mother…
brother… sister… grandfather… or even you at risk.
So what is a blood clot?
Our body naturally allows blood to clot to prevent
serious blood loss (due to an injury for example).1
However, blood should only clot outside the blood vessels because clotting
within a blood vessel can be very dangerous.1
A blood clot often occurs first in a leg and symptoms can include swelling,
pain, tenderness and redness.
1
A blood clot in the lung can cause breathlessness, chest pain and even lead to
collapse and death.
1 You
should talk to your ward doctor or nurse straight away if you have any of these
symptoms. If you think you could be at risk of a blood clot, raise this issue
next time you talk to the ward doctor or nurse.