MN Chapter - National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia

Know the Symptoms!

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) a clot that usually forms in the leg area:  This silent killer strikes nearly 400,000 people a year.

If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, please seek medical treatment, immediately!

  • Swelling, usually in one leg
  • Pain and/or tenderness at the site
  • Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
  • Warmth to touch at site

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) occurs when the clot breaks loose and travels to the lung. 

PE's strike over 530,000 people, resulting in 300,000 deaths each year.

  • Sudden shortness of breath
  • Chest pain that is sharp and stabbing and may get worse with a deep breath
  • Unexplained cough, sometimes with bloody mucus

Blood Clots Are A Public Health Crisis of National Urgency

Each year, an estimated 900,000 Americans will suffer blood clots, of which nearly one third – 300,000 will be fatal.  When a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, circulation becomes blocked.  Too often, these blood clots break away and travel to the lungs. When this occurs it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can result in death.  This silent, vascular killer affects so many diseases and conditions.

In Minnesota - Blood clots will strike nearly 15,000 Minnesotans each year, resulting in 5,000 deaths, most of which are preventable.

Those most at risk include:

  • Cancer patients – at any age, at any time
  • Surgery patients and in particular – orthopedics and abdominal
  • Women who are on birth control/hormones, pregnant or have just given birth
  • Anyone, any age, who experienced trauma such as a car accident, a fall, a broken bone or who may have worn a plaster cast within the last month.
  • People at any age can be affected, but for those over the age of 65 the risk increases
  • Obese men, women or children
  • Genetic Predisposition
  • Smoking
  • Air Travelers (or other prolonged time when you're "stuck in your seat")
  • Bed Rest/immobilization

Take charge of your health!  Knowing the symptoms will truly make a difference.

Press Information

For more details, please contact:
C.J. Arnold at 651-690-2779 or
814-280-3154 (cell phone)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATION’S FIRST STOP THE CLOT™ CHAPTER OPENS IN MINNESOTA

BLOOD CLOTS (Often Preventable) AFFECT NEARLY 15,000 MINNESOTANS, YEARLY

(Saint Paul, MN) (April 30, 2008) – Minnesota will be the first chapter in the battle to prevent blood clots according to The National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT).  This newly formed chapter will help combat a major public health issue affecting an estimated 900,000 Americans who will suffer blood clots, of which nearly one third – 300,000 will be fatal. Blood clots will strike nearly 15,000 Minnesotans each year, resulting in 5,000 deaths, most of which are preventable.

Minnesota has always been a progressive leader in health care,” explains Alan Brownstein, NATT executive director, “so it is only natural to open the nation’s first regional chapter in the state.” Primarily, NATT Minnesota’s goals are to provide educational forums such as Stop the Clot Forums aimed at patients, the general public and healthcare professionals. Additionally, volunteers will help raise funds for the enhancement of an interactive website, educational brochures as well as the development of local support groups statewide as well as regionally, including the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

NATT is a nationwide, community-based, volunteer health organization founded in 2004. Committed to preventing and treating the array of major health problems caused by blood clots, NATT’s charter members were visionary patients who attended a thrombosis and thrombophilia awareness meeting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They joined forces as patients and advocates to form NATT.

This grassroots nonprofit was the only organization to receive two highly competitive grants from the CDC.  NATT received $1.4 million for outreach to those most at-risk, healthcare providers and the public.  NATT will provide a series of “Stop-the-Clot™” educational forums as well as assistance in developing the nations’ first support groups on a local level.

Today, NATT’s membership and influence is growing. With the goal to ensure that people suffering from thrombosis and thrombophilia get early diagnosis, optimal treatment, and quality support, NATT members are committed to fostering research, education, support, and advocacy on behalf of those at risk of, or affected by, blood clots.

When a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, circulation becomes blocked.  Too often, these blood clots break away and travel to the lungs. When this occurs it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can result in death.  This silent, vascular killer affects so many diseases and conditions.

Those people who are most at risk include:

ü  Cancer patients – at any age –at any time

ü  Surgery patients and in particular – those who have undergone orthopedic or abdominal operations.

ü  Women who are on birth control/hormones, pregnant or have just given birth

ü  Anyone at any age, who experienced trauma such as a car accident, a fall, a broken bone or who may have worn a plaster cast within the last month. 

ü  People at any age can be affected, but for those over the age of 65 the risk increases

ü  Obese and sedentary men, women or children  

ü  Genetic Predisposition

ü  Smokers

ü  Air Travelers (or others on prolonged travel – or “stuck in your seat” including IT workers, snowplow drivers, truck drivers)

ü  Those persons on bed rest or immobilized

For more details on forming a support group or to join the regional chapter, please contact NATT MN at 651-690-2779 or visit www.StopTheClot.org.

Are You At Risk for a Blood Clot?

 This silent, vascular killer affects so many diseases and conditions.  Those most at risk include:

  • Cancer patients – at any age –at any time
  • Surgery patients and in particular – orthopedics and abdominal.
  • Women who are on birth control/hormones, pregnant or have just given birth
  • Anyone, any age, who experienced trauma such as a car accident, a fall, a broken bone or who may have worn a plaster cast within the last month. 
  • People at any age can be affected, but for those over the age of 65 the risk increases
  • Obese men, women or children  
  • Genetic Predisposition
  • Smokers
  • Air Travelers (or other prolonged travel – “stuck in your seat”)
  • On Bed Rest/immobilized

When a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, circulation becomes blocked.  Too often, these blood clots break away and travel to the lungs. When this occurs it is called a pulmonary embolism (PE) which can result in death.

Learn to Recognize Leg Blood Clot Symptoms!

Symptoms occur in the affected leg when a clot obstructs blood flow and causes inflammation. Symptoms may include the following:

  • Swelling
  • Gradual onset of pain
  • Redness
  • Warmth to the touch
  • Worsening leg pain when bending the foot
  • Leg cramps, especially at night
  • Bluish or whitish discoloration of skin
  • However, almost 30%-50% of individuals with DVT do not experience symptoms from the condition.

Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is a Public Health Crisis of National Urgency:

Ø  Each year, an estimated 900,000 Americans will suffer blood clots, of which nearly one third – 300,000 will be fatal. 

For more details, please visit your local healthcare provider or www.StopTheClot.org.