These 5 Factors Increase Your Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 people develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious circulatory problem due to clots in your deep veins. These clots block the normal flow of blood, and without prompt care, DVT can lead to life-threatening complications.

While there are treatments for DVT, the key is seeking care as early as possible. Knowing your risk factors can help you decide if you need to be screened for DVT.

At Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute, our team offers advanced interventions for deep vein thrombosis, including medications to reduce the risk of clot formation, and procedures to remove clots or prevent them from moving elsewhere. 

In this post, we review five common factors that can increase your risk of DVT.

1. Older age

As you age, your blood vessels become less elastic and tend to become narrower, interfering with circulation. As blood flow slows down, the risk of clots increases. 

People tend to become less active as they get older, sometimes due to arthritis or other pain conditions, weight gain, sleep problems, or just the stresses and responsibilities of daily life. Less activity can lead to a decline in blood flow, again increasing the risk of clots.

Finally, aging ushers in higher risks of heart disease and other chronic health issues that also elevate your risk of DVT.

2. Obesity

Obesity increases your risk of DVT in a few ways. First, the extra pounds you carry place additional pressure on your veins, making it harder for blood to circulate efficiently and increasing the risk of clot development, particularly in your lower legs.

Second, obesity is related to inflammation and metabolic changes, along with changes in hormone levels. Together, these factors influence the factors or chemicals involved in clotting, making it easier for clots to form.

Finally, like aging, obesity raises your risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes, each of which increases the risk of DVT, as well.

3. Prolonged immobility

Blood flow increases when you’re active and moving around regularly. If you have a condition that prevents mobility for a prolonged period of time, like being bedridden by an illness or injury, circulation slows down while the risk of clots goes up. 

Some muscles, like the ones in your calves, play active roles in promoting blood flow. Immobility means those muscles aren’t contracting, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of clots.

Being immobile or sedentary also leads to chronic inflammation, which in turn can damage blood vessels’ surfaces, making it easier for clots to stick.

4. Medical history

Heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, and some cancers can increase your risk of DVT, along with a host of other diseases and conditions. Pregnancy increases your risk, as your growing belly puts additional pressure on your leg veins.

Surgery increases your risk of DVT, too, particularly surgery involving your legs or belly. Inherited and genetic conditions that affect blood clotting also increase the likelihood you’ll develop DVT.

Having a history of DVT or other vascular disorders puts you at greater risk, and so do hormone therapies and medications, including hormonal birth control methods.

5. Smoking

Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs — it’s bad for circulation, too. Smoking increases the levels of chemicals that cause blood to clot, making blood stickier. Nicotine specifically triggers the release of clotting factors, increasing the risk of DVT.

The chemicals in smoke damage blood vessel walls and trigger inflammatory responses associated with increased risk of clotting. They also cause your blood vessels to contract, making it harder for blood to circulate.

Understand your own risks for DVT

DVT can cause serious complications, but it’s not always easy to spot on your own. If you have any symptoms of DVT — like swelling, cramping, or muscle fatigue in your legs — or any of the risk factors listed above, schedule a screening.

To learn more about DVT diagnosis and treatment, request an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City, and Riverview, Florida, today.