What connection could there possibly be between thrombosis, a severe disease that causes one death every minute in Europe, and high-altitude mountains? Much more than we might imagine. At high altitudes, environmental conditions such as hypoxia and extreme physical effort can trigger physiological responses that increase the risk of blood clot formation, a situation similar to what people affected by thrombosis experience. This connection not only offers an opportunity to raise awareness about the disease but also draws parallels between the challenges of climbing mountains and the fight against a complex and often deadly condition.
In the charity book Life Flows Through Your Veins, the elite of global Himalayan climbing has joined forces with the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) and the Activa’TT association to raise awareness about the importance of this disease and to collect funds for its research at IR Sant Pau. This pioneering project combines the majesty of mountaineering with the scientific challenge of combating thrombosis, a disease that causes 10 million deaths worldwide each year.
This initiative, led by Dr. José Manuel Soria, head of the Complex Disease Genomics Group at IR Sant Pau, and journalist Jordi Viader, gathers the experiences of fourteen renowned mountaineers who have conquered some of the world’s highest peaks. In the book, each recounts not only their battle against the adversities of high-altitude climbing but also how these experiences resemble the resilience needed to overcome serious illnesses like thrombosis.
The Modernist Site of Sant Pau served as the venue for the book’s presentation, where, alongside Dr. Soria and Jordi Viader, ten of the fourteen participating mountaineers were present: Núria Balagué, Javier Camacho, Rosa Fernández, Ferran Latorre, Jesús Morales, Juanito Oiarzabal, Jordi Pons, Lina Quesada, Ester Sabadell, and Carlos Soria.
Additionally, Núria Balagué, Juanito Oiarzabal, and Lina Quesada shared their personal experiences with thrombosis, a disease all three suffered from, specifically in high-altitude environments. “I had always adapted very well to high altitudes until I had my first pulmonary embolism, which took me to the hospital in Kathmandu,” explained Oiarzabal, adding that it was there that two small clots were detected. “During my first ascent of an eight-thousand-meter peak, I made many mistakes, which forced me to endure significant strain,” commented Lina Quesada. As a result of this extreme effort, she developed a hemorrhoidal crisis that caused a clot. “When I used to go to the mountains, I didn’t really know what to put in my medical kit, and thanks to this book, I’ve learned a lot about thrombosis,” added Núria Balagué.
The link between thrombosis and extreme mountaineering is stronger than it appears. At high altitudes, oxygen pressure decreases, forcing the body to adapt. This process, while necessary for survival, can increase blood viscosity and promote clot formation.
This mirrors the situation faced by thrombosis patients, where factors like immobility or pre-existing conditions generate similar risks. Moreover, the personal and physical struggle of climbing a mountain becomes a powerful metaphor for the fight that patients and researchers face to overcome a disease like thrombosis.
Just as mountaineers need training, preparation, and proper equipment to reach the summit, doctors and researchers rely on innovative tools and resources to advance the understanding and treatment of this disease. “Each ascent is a test of physical and mental endurance. That same strength is what we need to overcome such a complex condition as thrombosis,” said Dr. Soria during the presentation.
Venous Thromboembolic Disease (VTE), commonly known as thrombosis, occurs when a blood clot fully or partially blocks a blood vessel, hindering normal blood flow. This disease is one of the leading causes of serious events such as pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks, and strokes. Additionally, it is the primary cause of death in cancer patients.
Risk factors for thrombosis include family history, prolonged immobilization, recent surgeries, certain chronic illnesses, and sedentary lifestyles. However, this condition can often be prevented with proper knowledge and action. “The lack of information about thrombosis means that many people are unaware of their risk until it’s too late. This project aims to change that by raising awareness beyond medical circles and reaching society at large,” Dr. Soria emphasized.
Life Flows Through Your Veins is not just a book; it is a call to action. Its goal is to raise funds for thrombosis research at IR Sant Pau, a leading institution in scientific innovation. Each copy sold will directly contribute to financing projects aimed at developing new diagnostic and treatment tools.
The book is available for purchase here.
