Global public awareness of venous thromboembolism: reply

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major public health problem with a significant human and economic toll; an estimated 600 000 people in the USA are affected each year and 100 000 people die from VTE per year [3][4][5]. Ten to 30% of individuals affected by VTE will die within 1 month of diagnosis and for approximately 25% of people who experience a PE the first 'symptom' is sudden death [6,7]. Among those who have had a DVT, an estimated one-third will develop the long-term complication of the post-thrombotic syndrome [8]. Thrombosis in cancer is of intense current interest; despite being at increased risk of DVT and PE, most cancer patients are not aware of the signs, symptoms or risk factors or even the terms DVT or PE. More effective patient-physician dialogue about the risk of VTE and campaigns to increase public awareness about VTE and effective interventions are needed to reduce the burden from this largely preventable thrombotic disorder. Providing primary VTE prophylaxis to hospitalized 'at risk' individuals can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a VTE. AddendumA. Aggarwal and F. Rickles conceived and wrote the manuscript. Both authors reviewed the manuscript and agreed on submission.