World Thrombosis Day 13 October 2024 – Importance, Theme & History

World Thrombosis Day is a global healthcare awareness event observed on the 13th of October every year to increase worldwide awareness about thrombosis, including its causes, risk factors, indications, and symptoms, as well as evidence-based treatment and prevention.

On this day, various national and international organisation, healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and patients worldwide come together and conduct special events, webinars and educational forums that focus on reducing the burden of thrombosis, promoting education, awareness, and necessary actions for better prevention.

Importance of World Thrombosis Day (WTD)

Thromboembolism is a vascular disorder characterised by obstruction of blood vessels due to the formation of an embolus, which originates from a blood clot. The formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel is referred to as thrombosis. The vessel might be any vein or artery, as in deep vein thrombosis (venous) or coronary artery thrombosis (arterial).

A blood clot, once formed, can delay or stop normal blood flow and even break and travel to an organ. Thrombosis is the often-preventable underlying pathology of the top three cardiovascular killers such as venous thromboembolism (VTE), heart attack, and thromboembolic stroke.

Blood clots occur in both men and women of all ages, races, and ethnicities. Certain conditions and circumstances can raise the likelihood of forming a blood clot(s). Patients who receive anticoagulation treatment for venous thromboembolism are at a risk of 7.2 major bleeding events per 100 person-years, with a risk of 1.31 fatal bleeding events per 100 person-years. In case of major bleeding, the fatality rate is 13.4%.

The annual incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), in children (1 in 1,00,000), in reproductive age (1 in 10,000), in later middle age (1 in 1000), and in the elderly (1 in 100). According to reports, the incidence of pulmonary embolism ranges from 29 to 48 per 1,00,000 person-years, while the incidence of deep vein thrombosis ranges from 45 to 117 per 1,00,000 person-years.

With one in every four individuals dying from thrombosis, also known as blood clots, World Thrombosis Day draws attention to the often-overlooked disease as an urgent and rising health problem.

World Thrombosis Day 2024 Theme

This year, 2024, the World Thrombosis Day theme is "Move Against Thrombosis." This theme continues from 2023. It emphasizes urging people to get up and exercise to improve blood circulation, which can reduce the risk of blood clots. Reduced mobility can increase the risk of blood clotting and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Year by year themes of World Thrombosis Day:

• World Thrombosis Day theme 2023: Move Against Thrombosis
• World Thrombosis Day theme 2022: Eyes Open to Thrombosis
• World Thrombosis Day theme 2021: Eyes open to thrombosis
• World Thrombosis Day theme 2020: Eyes open to thrombosis

History of World Thrombosis Day (WTD)

In 2014, World Thrombosis Day was founded by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) to create a focused global awareness against thrombosis. Since then, every year, on the 13th of October, the World Thrombosis Day event is observed.

Preventive tips for blood clots (thrombus)

Preventing blood clots is vital for overall cardiovascular health and to reduce the risk of conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. The following are the general strategies that aid in preventing blood clots:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Staying active by doing exercise & yoga
• Staying hydrated
• Quitting smoking
• Wearing compression stockings
• Taking breaks during travelling
• Limiting sodium intake

Know more about health awareness days