Blood clots increasing for elderly Australians
Blood clots are claiming the lives of more than 5,000 Australian hospital patients a year, which makes the preventable disease a bigger killer than either bowel or breast cancer.
A new report on blood clots or venous thrombo-embolisms (VTEs) estimated that there would be 14,716 cases this year, resulting in 7% of all deaths in Australian hospitals, with the elderly being most at risk.
In terms of mortalities, the report said, “VTEs caused more deaths than all transport accidents and falls combined; was a bigger killer than bowel or breast cancer, and was over 40 times more deadly than AIDS”.
VTEs covered two conditions, including deep vein thrombosis – frequently connected with long distance flights – which occurs when blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs, thighs, or pelvis.
The second condition – pulmonary embolism – happens when blood clots break away from the deep veins, circulate, and block arteries in the lungs.
Risks can be managed using strategies such as drugs, elastic stockings, and inflatable garments around the leg.
The report found that
