Welcome back to another blog by our talented monthly writer, Mariam. This interesting article looks into the topical issue of thrombosis, a key debate with Covid-19 vaccinations.
Blood clots are surprisingly frequent and perfectly normal, when you trip over and graze your knee, a blood clot will form to prevent further bleeding so your wound can begin healing. However, the difference between a regular blood clot and thrombosis is that the clot will block a vein or artery, this affects around 1 in 10,000 people in the UK. Thrombosis is indeed rare but if left untreated, it can lead to heart attacks or stroke.
There are many different types of thrombosis but a common one is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which occurs when a blood clot forms inside one of your veins altering the path of regular blood flow. This tends to happen in areas of the leg such as the calves or thighs but can also occur in the arms or abdomen. DVT can be caused by internal damage to a blood vessel such as broken bones, paralysis or aneurysms but these serious clots can also be prompted by immobility.
Surely, sitting down for ages can’t be that bad but immobility actually triggers slower blood flow in your deep veins, which is hazardous because it creates an opportunity for a blood clot to form. Immobility from bed rest post-surgery accounts for 50% of DVT cases. That’s why it’s important to stay active whether it’s regular exercise or stretching your limbs after an hour of being glued to your desk. Another cause of thrombosis is hypercoagulability, a condition where your blood has a higher tendency to clot, this can be inherited or caused by diseases such as sticky platelet syndrome or protein C deficiency. Hypercoagulation can be caused by taking certain medications, particularly hormonal contraception but can also develop post-surgery, again this is a result of immobility.
Since clots are small, they can sometimes go unnoticed so it’s crucial to be aware of the early warning signs of DVT. Warning signs may include swelling, throbbing, redness and tenderness in your leg or arm, or feeling a lingering pain that’s exacerbated when you stand or walk.
That’s why you have to be vigilant and keep an eye out for symptoms because the result of untreated DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE). This is when a small clot in a vein breaks off to travel further in the bloodstream, blocking a major artery in your lungs. This rare condition affects 1 in 10 people who leave DVT untreated and can be extremely dangerous or even fatal resulting in low oxygen levels, heart attacks and death. Some warning signs of a PE include shortness of breath, wheezing, and an irregular heartbeat. However, with some lifestyle habits, you can try to avoid it. Some ways of potential prevention of a PE are avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, exercising often and avoiding immobility for too long where possible. It is vital to move around after long periods of sitting or standing, this could be a few simple stretches or shaking your arms or legs.
Recently, it’s been released in the news outlets such as the BBC, Guardian and Telegraph that recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine have experienced rare cases of thrombosis. On top of that, there have been speculations and ever-growing research linking a peculiar blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) to the COVID-19 vaccine. CVST is a rare, dangerous, type of blood clot that occurs in the brain’s venous sinuses (large veins which drain blood from the brain). When this happens the brain’s blood flow is blocked, dramatically reducing its oxygen supply, preventing the central nervous system (CNS) from working. CVST is extremely concerning because it can cause tissue death, or necrosis, due to the lack of sufficient blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Some of CVST’s symptoms include headaches, blurry or distorted vision and seizures which can lead to a stroke. While research is still expanding, data currently shows that CVST is more common in younger adults with a ratio of 3:1 between women and men. It is effectively treated with anticoagulants or blood thinners; the efforts of these drugs make it more difficult for your blood to clot.
As of April 30th, 2021, there have been 41 reported deaths in the UK due to serious blood clots post-vaccination according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). However, the MHRA believes that people should continue to get the AstraZeneca vaccine since the benefits outweigh the risks. After all, the vaccine is one of the best, if not the best, ways of protecting people from COVID-19, comparing this to the minuscule chance of developing a rare blood clot. That being said, remember to be aware of causes and risks, and to be smart with your decisions.
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