Hillary Clinton’s brain — Blood Clots, Strokes and Embolism
We’ve got Secretary Hillary Clinton’s brain on our minds and in our hearts.
Not only because it’s been a hot topic all over the media, but because we can’t think of many women whose intellect, wisdom and thought processes we admire more. Its hardly a secret that Secretary Clinton’s long been a leading advocate for women’s rights and maternal health, speaking out and driving attention to a subject we’re all passionate about. In June, she announced the launch of the Saving Mothers, Giving Life project that Every Mother Counts is a foundingpartner. We like to think of ourselves as players on the same team. We’re Hillary’s teammates and we are rooting for her full recovery.
But about Hilary’s brain — that blood clot she suffered as a result of her concussion could have had a tragic outcome. When clots like that happen to some people, they have a stroke, which can leave them disabled or dead. Fortunately, Hillary benefitted from excellent healthcare and we’re relieved she’s out of the hospital and on the mend. She’s even planning on returning to her Washington office next week as she heads into her home stretch and final weeks as Secretary of State. We’ll miss her sensible and eloquent voice, her advocacy for maternal health and women everywhere, her no nonsense attitude and the occasional glimpse that reveals of just how fun she is. We know that whatever role she takes on next will be just as powerful (maybe more so) and forceful in making the world a better place.
Hillary’s health crisis has left many people asking questions, including: What’s so bad about a blood clot? What exactly is a stroke anyway? What’s the difference between a stroke and an embolism? What does any of this have to do with maternal health? We’ll tackle these one by one:
What’s so bad about a blood clot?
Whenever a blood vessel is inured and bleeds, whether that’s from a paper cut, bonk on the head or childbirth, clotting factors (plasma proteins) in our blood stop the bleeding. Blood clots or congeals (think Jell-O, which goes from liquid to solid) and creates a dam that prevents more blood from leaking out. It’s a genius healing mechanism, except when that blood clot forms in a dangerous area and breaks loose. In Hillary’s case, blood vessels were injured when she fell and banged her head. She received a concussion, which is like a bruise to the brain and her body stopped her from having a dangerous amount of bleeding (hemorrhage) by forming a clot in a blood vessel behind her ear. Normally, our body processes and eliminates these clots efficiently, but if it travels through a blood vessel, it can block circulation to the brain. That’s called a stroke.
What’s a stroke?
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or severely reduced. When that happens, brain tissue doesn’t get enough oxygen or nutrition and brain cells die. The extent of brain damage and disability or death depends on what part and how much of the brain is affected. Hillary Clinton didn’t have a stroke because doctors gave her blood thinners to dissolve the clot. Her brain is as brilliant as ever.
What’s an embolism?
An embolism is an obstruction of a blood vessel caused by a clot, fat, air or other foreign substance. When that clot (or whatever) moves through a blood vessel, it can block circulation just like in a stroke. Embolisms can be fatal and are a contributor to many sudden maternal deaths. The plural of embolism is emboli. There are three major types of emboli that affect the general population:
1. Arterial embolism blocks blood flow in a major artery. If that artery is in the brain, it causes a stroke. If it’s in another part of the body (say, the groin, leg or l vital organ) it can cause tissue death rapidly.
2. Gas emboli are caused by compressed respiratory gasses in the blood and body tissues caused by rapid changes in environmental pressure, like when you’re flying or diving. It causes bubbles to form in blood vessels, which can block blood flow.
3. Pulmonary embolisms affect approximately 600,000 Americans every year and about 60,000 of those will die, usually without warning. It’s caused by a blockage to the main pulmonary (lung) artery, usually by a clot that travels from a vein in the leg or pelvis.
The type of embolism that applies most directly to maternal health is called an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). These are rare, but can kill a mother quickly and without warning. An AFE happens when amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair or other tissues enter the mother’s blood stream, block circulation and cause cardiac and respiratory failure. Between 80 and 90% of AFEs are fatal. It’s difficult to estimate exactly how often this happens because in many parts of the world, the cause of maternal death isn’t determined or recorded. It’s estimated, however, that AFE happens in 1 out of 8,000 to 30,000 pregnancies. Approximately 46 women in the US die annually from AFE. Unfortunately, AFEs are considered unpredictable and unpreventable.
We’re grateful Hillary came through her health crisis safely. We are excited to watch what she does going forward and no matter what role she takes on next, we’ll continue to be proud to work on the same team.
(Photo: Yahoo)
