Lady Joan Branson's death could have been prevented had she been given a common medication used to prevent blood clots, an inquest has found. The wife of Sir Richard Branson, 80, died after suffering a cardiac arrest on 24 November 2025, caused by a sudden blockage in her lung.
The blockage is believed to have resulted from deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a life-threatening blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg. Lady Branson had been admitted to hospital after suffering fractures to her pelvis and hip in a fall at a private retreat in the Caribbean.
Despite having a long history of blood clots and being described as "at very high risk of developing DVT," she did not receive anticoagulants at the hospital. Nor was she given compression stockings in the first 48 hours of her admission, oversights coroners said could have cost her her life.
How the clot formed
The body uses blood clots to prevent excessive blood loss, but they can become dangerous if they stop blood circulating properly. DVT affects an estimated 60,000 people in the UK every year and can be fatal if a clot travels to the lungs, cutting off oxygen and blood supply, a condition known as a pulmonary embolism.
As many as one in four deaths are related to blood clots, making DVT a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths and disability. It is estimated that up to a third of cases go undiagnosed because symptoms are often mistaken for other problems, or do not appear at all.
The doctor's decision
The lead doctor on Lady Branson's case, Dr Basir Kunduzi, told the inquest he had decided to delay prescribing anticoagulants until she had undergone a CT scan, to make sure there was no internal bleeding the drugs could have worsened. The inquest heard the decision not to administer anticoagulants would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he expressed his condolences to the family.
In an email sent to the court, the couple's daughter, Dr Holly Branson, highlighted her mother's history of blood clots, dating back over a decade, and said she would not have refused anticoagulants had they been offered.
A decades-long marriage
Sir Richard and Lady Branson first met in 1976 at The Manor, a former recording studio in Oxfordshire. The couple later married on Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands, with their children Holly and Sam present.
Holly recently shared an emotional tribute to her late mother, reflecting on the "initial shock and pain" of her death. On Instagram, Sir Richard described his wife as the "most wonderful mum and grandmum," writing: "She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever Joan x."
Who is at risk of DVT
Blood clots often form when blood flow slows, typically during periods of prolonged immobility. Risk increases sharply with age and with certain medical conditions, including cancer. Being obese, smoking, taking hormone replacement therapy or the combined contraceptive pill are all known to raise the risk of DVT.
High blood sugar and cholesterol levels linked to uncontrolled diabetes can also damage the lining of blood vessels and encourage clotting. Women are significantly more likely to develop the condition during pregnancy and for six weeks after giving birth. Long-distance travel can also raise the risk, particularly on journeys of more than four to six hours, whether by air, car, train or ferry. Sometimes, however, DVT happens for no obvious reason.
Warning signs to watch for
The NHS lists four red-flag warning signs: throbbing pain in one leg, usually in the calf or thigh; swelling; red or darkened skin around the painful area; and swollen veins. These symptoms can also occur in the arm, if that is where the clot appears. Rarely, people may experience only lower abdominal pain.
Anyone who thinks they may have DVT is advised to book an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111. If the symptoms occur alongside shortness of breath and chest pain, that is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment at A&E.
Reducing the risk
There is no single way to prevent DVT, but lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk. The NHS recommends maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, standing up every hour, drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and not smoking. Those who regularly travel for four hours or more are advised to wear loose clothing and compression socks and to avoid sitting for long periods where possible.
The NHS also says healthcare teams should check whether patients are at high risk of DVT. If doctors find this to be the case, patients may be given treatment to prevent it, such as blood-thinning medicines like rivaroxaban. These medications typically need to be taken for at least three months, usually as tablets, to reduce the risk of another clot forming.
