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  • As a daily lifestyle, there are some simple steps to help reduce the risk of clot occurrence – such as better mobility and reducing obesity, or smoke cessation. Taking these simple steps, a person could reduce the risk of developing blood clots in case they would ever be hospitalized.
  • Being in a hospital increases the risk of developing blood clots, with half of hospitalized patients being affected. When preventive measures are used in hospitals, through early assessment, the risk is reduced significantly1.

October 13 – Each year, one in four people worldwide die from conditions caused by thrombosis2; this is more than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and motor vehicle crashes combined3. At the same time, research suggests that venous thromboembolic (VTE) events are often preventable, and prevention strategies can stop the development of clots in 'at-risk' individuals4.

Using the occasion of World Thrombosis Day – marked each year on October 13, Viatris, a global healthcare company, joins the medical and patient advocacy communities in order to support disease awareness work, as well as to inform patients about their recovery journey.

Viatris is sharing the story of Shazia Khan, a Viatris employee in the UK having dealt with venous thrombo-embolism herself. Her story touches on prevention mechanisms, and demonstrates the support Shazia got from Thrombosis Ireland patient association, through her recovery.

Shazia is now passionate about raising awareness for both patients and doctors, to make sure they do not miss the signs of thrombosis, and to support patients like her.

Shaantanu Donde, Head of Portfolio Management, in Viatris Medical Affairs team - Developed Markets, said: „Creating a stronger support network will benefit patients across the globe, which ties into Viatris mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. In the area of thrombosis, we connect with stakeholders to support their work on increasing disease awareness, but also in terms of recovery support”.

For general media;
“Lifestyle changes such as loosing weight, staying active, smoke cessation,choosing the appropriate anticonceptive pill can help diminish the risk of getting thrombotic complications when people are admitted at hospital. Raising awareness around preventing clots is especially important as this year the World Thrombosis Day campaign sheds light into the hospital-associated thrombosis, said Prof. dr. Saskia Middeldorp, Head Department of Internal Medicine Radboud UMC, Netherlands. “Clots are preventable in many cases if clinicians assess the risk appropriately.”, she added.

For women magazines:
“Women have increased risk of getting a blood clot – such as through pregnancy or after a C-section. But blood clots are preventable in many cases, very treatable if caught on time but potentially fatal if the symptoms are ignored’, Said Prof. dr. Saskia Middeldorp, Head Department of Internal Medicine Radboud UMC, Netherlands. “Loosing weight, staying active, smoke cessation and generally keeping a healthy lifestyle help diminish the risk of getting into complications when people are admitted in hospital. Raising awareness around preventing clots is especially important as this year the World Thrombosis Day campaign sheds light into the hospital-associated thrombosis.”, she added.

Key Facts about Thrombosis

  • Every year, there are approximately 10 million cases of VTEs worldwide5; in Europe only, there are 544,000 VTE-related deaths every year6.
  • Thrombosis is as frequent in men and women7, and is more frequent in older patients8

Preventing thromboembolism for hospitalized patients 9

  • Half of hospitalized patients are assessed by their doctors as having a high risk for venous thromboembolism, and require prophylaxis; of these, only 1 in 2 patients actually got adequate prophylaxis – with Europe scoring slightly better.10
  • The American Society of Hematology (ASH) evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2018) recommends thromboprophylaxis of all high-risk medical patients while they are hospitalized – and not only for patients undertaking a surgery.

Practical steps for patients to help prevent blood clots11

  • Lose weight, if you are overweight
  • Stay active, exercise regularly; walking is fine
  • Avoid long periods of staying still
  • Get up and move around at least every hour whenever you travel on a plane, train, or bus, particularly if the trip is longer than 4 hours
  • Do heel toe exercises or circle your feet if you cannot move around
  • Stop at least every two hours when you drive, and get out and move around
  • Drink a lot of water and wear loose fitted clothing when you travel
  • Talk to your doctor about your risk of clotting whenever you take hormones, whether for birth control or replacement therapy, or during and right after any pregnancy
  • Follow any self-care measures to keep heart failure, diabetes, or any other health issues as stable as possible

With its thrombosis portfolio, Viatris is one of the largest suppliers of products in Europe.

About Viatris
Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a global pharmaceutical company empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway®. Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing and distribution expertise with proven regulatory, medical, and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories. Viatris' portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognized brands, complex generic and branded medicines, a portfolio of biosimilars and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products. With approximately 37,000 colleagues globally, Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more
at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on Twitter
at @ViatrisInc, LinkedIn and YouTube.

  1. By 66% - Forgo paper 2021
  2. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/
  3. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/; in the US
  4. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/ in the US
  5. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/
  6. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/
  7. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-021-00813-w
  8. Heit J Nat Rev Cardiol. 2015 August ; 12(8): 464–4
  9. WTD/ subunit of ISTH https://www.worldthrombosisday.org/
  10. 66% of patients got adequate prophylaxis in Europe; Forgo 2021 paper
  11. https://www.stoptheclot.org/learn_more/prevention_of_thrombosis/
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