“Fall and Die”: Expert Warns of Hidden Danger of Blood Clots

Prof. Theresa Nwagha, a Public Health Haematologist, has said that blood clots, also known as Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), remain a major cause of sudden deaths globally.
Nwagha made this known on Thursday in Enugu while delivering the 252nd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), titled: “The Balance of Blood Fluidity: From Bleeding to Clotting in Health and Disease.”

She explained that VTE occurs when blood clots form in the veins and obstruct normal blood flow. According to her, about 10 million cases of blood clots occur globally each year, resulting in about two million deaths.

The blood specialist said blood clots could affect both sick and apparently healthy people and, in some cases, lead to sudden death.

She noted that there are no symptoms in about 25 per cent of blood clot cases.

The Professor of Haematology and Coagulation Medicine identified prolonged sitting, obesity, stress and long-distance journeys lasting more than four hours as some of the risk factors for VTE.

She stressed the importance of regularly assessing the risk of thrombosis or blood clots to prevent sudden deaths popularly known as “Fall and Die.”

Nwagha explained that sitting for prolonged periods, particularly while working on computers, could cause blood to remain stagnant in the lower legs, thereby increasing the risk of clot formation.

She added that blood clots could sometimes be mistaken for muscle injuries, exercise-induced asthma or ordinary fatigue.

The professor called for hospital-wide risk assessment and preventive treatment, known as thromboprophylaxis, to reduce cases of VTE.

She also advocated the integration of VTE awareness and early identification into primary healthcare.

Nwagha said low public awareness, gaps in medical training and the loss of healthcare professionals to migration, popularly known as “Japa syndrome,” had affected efforts to improve VTE management.

According to her, the challenges contributed to the establishment of the UNTH Anticoagulation Steward Committee by the UNTH.

“We want to convert anticoagulation from a fearfully understood clinical hazard into a highly disciplined standard life-saving medical act,” she said.

The professor also highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary care for women, particularly during pregnancy and other reproductive health conditions where blood clotting could pose serious risks.

She said proper teamwork among healthcare professionals could improve outcomes for women at risk.

“Women on oral contraceptive, IVF, high doses of oesterogene and even athletes are at risk of thrombosis,” she said.

Nwagha further discussed the use of digital health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as tools for improving VTE risk assessment and providing more precise care.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, represented by Prof. J. U. J. Onwumere, congratulated Nwagha on the inaugural lecture and encouraged her to conduct more research in haematology and coagulation.

Dignitaries at the event, including former Power Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, as well as family members and friends, commended the Haematologist for her contributions towards safeguarding public health in the country.