An inquest into the death of Lady Joan Branson, wife of Sir Richard Branson, has concluded that her fatal cardiac arrest on November 24, 2025, caused by a sudden blockage in her lung, could have been prevented. The blockage is believed to have resulted from deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a life-threatening blood clot in a vein, typically in the leg.
Lady Branson, 80, had been admitted to the hospital following fractures to her pelvis and hip sustained during a fall at a private retreat in the Caribbean. Despite a documented history of blood clots and being identified as 'at very high risk of developing DVT,' she did not receive anticoagulant medication. Furthermore, compression stockings were not administered within the first 48 hours of her admission, oversights that coroners suggested may have contributed to her death.
Dr. Basir Kunduzi, the lead doctor on Lady Branson's case, stated that he delayed prescribing anticoagulants until after a CT scan to rule out internal bleeding, which such drugs could exacerbate. He expressed that the decision would haunt him and offered his condolences to the family.
Lady Branson's daughter, Dr. Holly Branson, noted in an email to the court that her mother had a history of blood clots spanning over a decade and would not have refused anticoagulants if they had been offered.
Blood clots are a natural bodily function to prevent excessive bleeding, but they can become dangerous when they impede normal circulation. DVT affects an estimated 60,000 people annually in the UK, with a significant portion of cases going undiagnosed because symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions or are absent entirely. As many as one in four deaths are linked to blood clots, positioning DVT as a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths and disability.
Risk factors for DVT include advanced age, certain medical conditions like cancer, obesity, smoking, hormone replacement therapy, and the combined contraceptive pill. High blood sugar and cholesterol levels, often associated with uncontrolled diabetes, can also damage blood vessel linings and promote clotting. Women are at a significantly higher risk during pregnancy and for six weeks postpartum. Prolonged immobility, such as during long-distance travel exceeding four to six hours by any mode of transport, also increases risk.
The NHS identifies four key warning signs for DVT: throbbing pain in one leg (usually the calf or thigh), swelling, redness or skin darkening around the painful area, and visible swollen veins. Similar symptoms can occur in the arm if a clot forms there. In rare instances, lower abdominal pain may be the sole symptom. Shortness of breath and chest pain accompanying these symptoms indicate a medical emergency requiring immediate A&E treatment.
Lifestyle modifications can help reduce DVT risk, including maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and taking hourly breaks to stand, especially during long journeys. Adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration and refraining from smoking are also recommended. For frequent travelers, wearing loose clothing, compression socks, and minimizing prolonged sitting can help mitigate risk. The NHS emphasizes that healthcare teams should assess patients for DVT risk and offer preventative treatments, such as blood-thinning medications like rivaroxaban, if a high risk is identified. These medications typically require a minimum three-month course to reduce the recurrence of blood clots.
Sir Richard Branson memorialized his wife on Instagram, calling her his "best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world."