At 24 years old, during her final year of university, Laura ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing netball. After 2 days of being immobile, Laura noticed a pain in her right calf which she brushed off as a sore muscle from playing sports. Despite this, her mother (who is a doctor) suggested that it would be best to rule out a DVT as Laura's father had suffered from a stroke and pulmonary embolism 8 years earlier. After having her leg checked at a radiology clinic, it was immediately apparent from the ultrasound that there was a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her right calf.

"I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing netball and was quite immobile for about 2 days before pain started in my right calf.  It just felt like a sore muscle." Laura

Following diagnosis of DVT, Laura was placed on a blood-thinner to prevent thrombosis. This delayed her ACL surgery by 3 months – extending an already long recovery time. After a number of blood tests and investigations, Laura was found to have no conclusive underlying clotting disorder, which meant she could be switched to a low-level medication.

Following the DVT, Laura switched from the contraceptive pill to a progesterone-only form of contraception to reduce her risk of another blood clot. Despite this, in mid-2016, 3 years after her DVT, she experienced a similar pain in her left calf. Not risking anything, Laura got another ultrasound which led to the discovery of superficial thrombophlebitis – small blood clotting in surface veins. While these are not as dangerous as a DVT, it led to her haematologist switching her medication to a direct oral anticoagulant.

Now, Laura takes medication twice a day and has done so for over 3 years to prevent the formation of more blood clots. Laura is grateful that her mum trusted her instincts and suggested the ultrasound when she experienced her first DVT, as she was at low risk.

“Blood clots can happen to anyone, including healthy young people.” Laura