Pablo Grant still had so much to do. As an actor, he became known to a larger audience in the Magdeburg “Polizeiruf 110” in the role of Chief Detective Günther Márquez. The Berliner was also active as a musician, rapped in the hip-hop group “BHZ” and released several albums and a solo album with the collective. This week the rapper wanted to go on tour with “BHZ”.
But last week Grant died unexpectedly as a result of a thrombosis. He was only 26 years old. What makes this disease so insidious that even young people at the beginning of their lives die from it?
Actor Pablo Grant dies at the age of 26 as a result of a thrombosis
A thrombosis is the partial or complete closure of a blood vessel by a blood clot. According to the care portal “pflege.de”, there are two types of thrombosis: arterial and venous thrombosis.
Thrombosis in the arteries – these are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart – occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery. This form occurs in the arteries of the heart, legs and brain.
A thrombosis in the veins – blood vessels that carry blood to the heart – refers to the blockage of a vein by a so-called thrombus. It occurs more often than arterial thrombosis because the blood flow in the veins flows more slowly. It most commonly occurs in the leg and pelvic veins, but blockages in the veins of the brain, arm and shoulder girdle, or anus, as well as the portal vein, are also possible.
There are three common causes of thrombosis
The causes of thrombosis are different. The three most common triggers:
1. Blood clotting disorder: This is often a genetically caused increased tendency to clot. Other risk factors for this include smoking, certain medications such as some contraceptive pills, massive infections with fever and inflammation such as viral flu or Covid-19, cancer, autoimmune diseases and dehydration.
2. Damage to the inner wall of the vessel: Risk factors include inflammation such as inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis) and injuries.
3. Slowed blood flow: The blood flows more slowly due to, among other things, long periods of bed rest, major operations or injuries in the pelvic, spine and hip areas, but also due to enlarged veins (pronounced varicose veins), prolonged sitting, tight and restrictive clothing, lack of exercise and a poorly developed muscle pump in the legs, which affects blood transport.
Other risk factors can include:
previous venous thrombosis, older age, heart failure, obesity
What symptoms arterial and venous thrombosis cause
Venous thromboses can be asymptomatic or cause various symptoms depending on the location and size of the thrombus. These include:
Pulling pain like a sore muscle in the affected area Swelling of the affected tissue Calf pain, especially when it occurs Feeling of heaviness and tension in the affected area, which subsides when elevated Feeling of warmth in the affected area Bluish-red skin changes over the affected area Protruding veins
Arterial thrombosis, on the other hand, causes immediate pain – even when at rest. Other complaints include:
Tightness in the chest, dizziness and impaired consciousness, visual and speech disorders, shortness of breath
Every fourth death is related to a thrombosis
Thrombosis is potentially life-threatening. According to the “Thrombosis Action Alliance”, one in four deaths worldwide is related to thrombosis.
After all, thrombi in the vessels can block the blood flow to other organs or parts of the body, resulting in Organ damage and Death of the affected extremities can lead. It is also possible that the blood clot or parts of it reach other organs through the bloodstream and block vessels there. Possible consequences are cardiac arrest, strokes and pulmonary embolisms.
Treatment of blocked blood vessels
Because of the great risks, a thrombosis must always be treated by a doctor as quickly as possible. There are several therapy options:
Medication : Anticoagulant drugs such as heparin are administered via an infusion or injection. This is intended to reduce the size of the thrombus and, in the best case, dissolve it.
Compression : Compression socks or bandages put pressure on the veins and make blood flow faster.
Operation : The thrombus is removed during a surgical procedure. This is often done with the help of a catheter, which captures the blood clot in the bloodstream and pulls it out.
How you can prevent thrombosis
You can reduce the risk of thrombosis with certain behaviors:
Movement : Mobility is one of the most important factors in the prevention of thrombosis. Through exercise and targeted sports exercises, you can strengthen your muscles and activate the muscle pump, which means the blood in the veins flows better to the heart. Suitable sports to prevent venous thrombosis are swimming and cycling.
Leg posture : To improve blood flow, you can also put your feet up – actually! For example, if you position your legs about 20 degrees higher than the rest of your body when sitting on the couch, you create a slope. This helps the veins carry blood to the heart.
Drink : In everyday life we often forget to drink enough fluids. Sufficient water not only makes us efficient and keeps our body functions running, but it also thins the blood and facilitates blood flow. The rule of thumb is 2 to 2.5 liters of water or unsweetened tea per day – or, according to the latest findings, 30 to 40 milliliters per kilogram of body weight.
Nutrition : Eating healthy not only prevents obesity – another risk factor for thrombosis. In particular, a diet rich in fiber and also rich in unsaturated fatty acids can protect us from thrombosis. Ideal foods include nuts, whole grain products and fish.
The original for this article “”Polizeiruf” actor dies of thrombosis at 26 – what makes the disease so treacherous” comes from BUNTE.de.