Hillary Clinton could have died from a blood clot following a fall. Fortunately, Hillary Clinton’s doctors detected the blood clot and expect a possible hospital release as early as Tuesday according to a Dec. 31, 2012, Wall Street Journal report.
“State Department announces that in a follow-up exam, doctors discovered a blood clot and that she has been hospitalized in New York City for treatment with anti-coagulants. State Department officials would not say where the clot is located. She is expected to remain in the hospital at least until Tuesday.”
Hillary Clinton’s treatment for a blood clot comes as a result of a fall that she experienced earlier in the month. Because of a stomach virus, Hillary Clinton became dehydrated, fainted, and suffered a concussion. “Officials would not say exactly when the fall occurred or where she was when it happened.”
Hillary Clinton most likely contracted the stomach virus during a five-day European trip to Prague, the Czech Republic, Brussels, Dublin, and Belfast.
Even though Victoria Nuland, a State Department spokesperson, said on Dec. 18, 2012, that Hillary Clinton was recovering nicely and that she was at home working and writing letters, Hillary Clinton’s follow-up exam by the end of the month showed a blood clot that if left untreated, could turn fatal.
What makes blood clots potentially lethal is the fact that they often go unnoticed after a fall, after a prolonged airplane ride, or while taking birth control pills.
Hillary Clinton’s blood clot experience can help save the life of others through an increased awareness of this potentially silent killer.
While most blood clots are usually not lethal, they can result in a blockage of the lungs, the heart, or the brain if left untreated.
According to a CNN Health report, blood clots account for “nearly 200,000 deaths a year.”
Frequent airline travelers know that sitting for several hours in a seat can result in DVT, deep vein thrombosis, which generally begins deep in leg veins. Moving around frequently and avoiding sitting down for prolonged periods of time in an airplane seat is the best prevention for developing blood clots in the legs.
While especially older people need to be aware of blood clots forming during an airplane ride, younger adults should know about a blood clot development due to taking birth control pills.
Experiencing a fall, as in Hillary Clinton’s case, is a third major contributor to the formation of blood clots.
Being aware of some of the warning signs of the presence of blood clots might help save a life. Those warning signs include swollen ankles or feet, cramps, shortness of breath, anxiety, chest pain, or a headache.
One of the challenges of detecting the presence of a blood clot after a fall or an extended airplane ride is that very often those warning signs will not appear until days after the incident. “When in doubt, check it out.”
Luckily for Hillary Clinton, her doctors found her blood clot and everyone hopes that she will be released from the hospital by Tuesday to rejoin her family at home.
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