Women make up the majority of hospitalizations for DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in Santa Catarina. SES (State Department of Health) data shows they account for 62.02% of cases, with an average of 3.17 consultations per day.

The appearance of blood clots can cause severe pain in the area and swelling – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/ND

Data is from January 2022 to August 2023. In total, the SES survey recorded 1904 calls to the health care network regarding thrombosis during this period, 1181 women and 723 men.

In the 30 to 50 age group of women alone, 374 patients were hospitalized in Santa Catarina with DVT. The number of male patients treated was 167.

According to the Ministry of Health, in Brazil from January to August this year, about 165 people, including men and women, were hospitalized for treatment of deep vein thrombosis.

What is thrombosis?

Thrombosis is the name given to the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in the large veins of the lower extremities. These accumulations can impair blood flow, causing pain and even swelling in the affected area.

Blood clots can obstruct and even impede blood flow – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/ND

Classifications of thrombosis:

• Acute thrombosis: Less serious, usually, blood clots can be removed by the body without causing any consequences or developing into more serious cases.
• Chronic thrombosis: it develops from the debris formed in the veins when natural blood clots break down, which leads to damage to the internal valves.

Why do women suffer more?

The Ministry of Health also points out that the incidence of thrombosis is higher in women than in men – especially among people aged 20 to 40 – due to “risk factors” including the use of contraceptives and even pregnancy.

Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from thrombosis – Photo: Freepik/Reproduction/ND

In most cases, deep vein thrombosis has no symptoms, but may include:

• Pain
• Redness
• Feeling of heat in the affected area.
• Muscle stiffness in the area of ​​thrombus formation.

Causes of thrombosis

The development of thrombosis occurs multifactorially and can even occur due to everyday habits. Check out the most common reasons:

• Hormonal treatment, including the use of contraceptives;
• Staying in the same position for a long time (standing or sitting);
• Smoking;
• Predisposition to varicose veins;
• Pregnancy;
• Heredity;
• Patients diagnosed with heart failure;
• The presence of malignant tumors;
• Patients with a history of venous thrombosis or hypercoagulability disorders (hereditary or acquired)

Prevention and treatment

Prevention of thrombosis involves changing habits such as regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and reducing the consumption of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Treatment may vary depending on each patient’s condition and may be done with medications to prevent new blood clots from forming and to break up existing blood clots. In addition to using compression stockings to prevent poor circulation.

Luana Andrade case

Businesswoman and former member of Record’s Power Couple Brazil Luana Andrade, 29, died on Monday (age 7) from a massive thrombosis during a liposuction procedure.

Luana died at the age of 29 – Photo: Internet/Reproduction/ND

The cause of death, according to the doctors who performed the operation, was massive pulmonary embolism, characterized by the formation of a blood clot that causes blockage of a pulmonary blood vessel, preventing blood circulation.

According to the Ministry of Health, 68 people die every hour from pulmonary embolism in Santa Catarina.