Join the World Thrombosis Day Twitter Chat on October 20 at 1 p.m. ET

The World Thrombosis Day campaign and ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser will host a LIVE Twitter Chat devoted to venous thromboembolism (VTE) on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The topic is particularly relevant in October for recognition of World Thrombosis Day on October 13.  

Survivors are invited to ask questions and share their stories. To join in the discussion, sign into Twitter and search for @ABCDrBChat or Dr. Richard Besser. Use the hashtag #ABCDrBChat in your questions.

Dr. Richard Besser is a chief health and medical editor of ABC News and a frequent contributor to health segments on Good Morning America, World News and Nightline. Before joining ABC News, Dr. Besser was a 13-year veteran with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he served as director of the Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.

VTE  is the formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE. Together, DVT and PE are known as VTE – a dangerous and potentially deadly medical condition.

VTE is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. A comprehensive scientific review by the WTD steering committee revealed that 10 million cases of VTE occur annually – across low, middle and high income countries. Yet, VTE-related death is largely undocumented with data predominantly confined to Europe and the United States.

Facts and Figures

• Every year, there are approximately 10 million cases of VTE worldwide
• In the U.S., there are 100,000 – 300,000 VTE-related deaths every year
• In Europe, there are 544,000 VTE-related deaths every year
• In the U.S. and Europe, VTE-related events kill more people than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and motor vehicle crashes combined.
• Up to 60 percent of VTE cases occur during or after hospitalization, making it a leading preventable cause of hospital death.

Join us! October 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET. #ABCDrBChat | www.twitter.com/thrombosisday

If you have any questions, contact us at wtd@isth.org

Learn more at www.worldthrombosisday.org. Questions? Email us at wtd@isth.org.