Each year, National Women’s Health Week is a timely and vital reminder that your health matters. It’s not just about responding to symptoms; it’s about staying ahead of them. At the heart of this national observance lies the importance of routine wellness checks, which play a key role in identifying health concerns early, managing chronic conditions, and enhancing quality of life.
However, one critical issue often goes unnoticed during these checkups: Blood clot risk.
Why Wellness Checks Matter
Women often serve as caregivers, multitaskers, and decision-makers — not only for themselves but also for their families and communities. Amidst all this responsibility, it’s easy to postpone routine care, but annual wellness visits are more than just a box to check. They provide an opportunity to:
- Monitor essential health metrics, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight
- Discuss reproductive health, contraception, or menopause symptoms
- Screen for early signs of chronic illnesses
- Update vaccinations
- Engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and lifestyle
These checkups are essential for fostering an ongoing, proactive relationship with your healthcare provider. They also provide an opportunity to discuss hidden health risks — like venous thromboembolism (VTE), or blood clots.
Blood Clots: An Overlooked Women’s Health Issue
Most people don’t think about blood clots…until they have one. For women, the risk for blood clots is heightened by common life stages and medical decisions, including:
- Hormonal birth control
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Hormone therapy during menopause
Despite the risks, many women are never informed about the signs of a blood clot or whether their personal or family health history may increase their risk. National Women’s Health Week is the perfect opportunity to change that.
Integrating Blood Clot Awareness into Preventive Care
Integrating Blood Clot Awareness into Preventive CareJust as we screen for breast cancer or ask about mental health, blood clot risk should be part of routine conversations. At your next wellness check, consider asking your provider:
- Am I at risk for blood clots based on my medical history?
- What are the symptoms of a blood clot I should watch for?
- How can I lower my risk, especially if I’m taking hormonal birth control or hormone therapy?
- Should I be screened for inherited clotting conditions?
By introducing these questions into the exam room, we normalize blood clot education as part of standard preventive care, rather than as a discussion that takes place only in an emergency room.
Knowledge is Prevention, Awareness is Advocacy
When women understand the full scope of their health risks, including those that are not easily visible, they are better equipped to make informed decisions. Whether it’s choosing a contraceptive method, planning a pregnancy, or managing a chronic condition, awareness of blood clot risk can be life-saving.
National Women’s Health Week is not only about scheduling a checkup, it’s about reshaping the checkup to address the issues women face.
Take Action This Women’s Health Week
Schedule your wellness exam if you haven’t already. Initiate a conversation with your provider regarding blood clot risk. Share your story or encourage others to discuss openly the women’s health challenges that often go unspoken. Support organizations that raise awareness about women’s health and clotting conditions.
Your voice. Your vigilance. Your health. All are essential.
Learn more about blood clots here.
Read more about National Women’s Health Week here.
