Blood Clots Are Common: 6 Major DVT Risk Factors You Should Know About

There are plenty of things that can put you at risk for a blood clot. However, the real risk behind the blood clot itself is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE) — a potentially life-threatening emergency.

At Apex Endovascular, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, Dr. Shawn Ahmed can help you learn more about deep vein thrombosis and how to recognize signs of a pending medical emergency. 

Causes of blood clots

Blood clots happen when your blood starts to coagulate (thicken and stick together) inside of a vein. It’s important to know if you’re at risk for blood clots and to talk with your doctor to assess your risk. Common risk factors for blood clots include:

• Atherosclerosis (thickening, stiffening, or narrowing of the arteries)
• COVID-19
• Family history of blood clots
• Heart arrhythmia, attack, or disease
• Hormone therapy
• Obesity
• Oral contraceptives
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Pregnancy
• Previous surgery
• Smoking
• Stroke
• Various kinds of cancers, including blood cancers

Sometimes a blood clot can be obvious (a hard knot in your leg, heat, pain, etc.), but sometimes you can have a blood clot and not even know.

The real danger behind blood clots: DVT

There are several types of blood clots. Arterial blood clots happen in the arteries, which carry blood away from the heart. Venous blood clots happen in the veins, which carry blood back toward the heart. Thrombotic clots are stuck in place. Embolic clots have broken free and can travel along in the bloodstream.

All blood clots have the capacity to be dangerous. However, the danger is increased if a blood clot is stuck in a vein deep in your leg or groin (deep vein thrombosis). On the blood’s way back to your heart, the clot can get stuck in your lungs, blocking one of your pulmonary arteries and causing a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.

13 major risk factors for DVT

It’s easy to remember major risk factors for DVT, thanks to a mnemonic many medical students and professionals use. 

1. Travel (by car, boat, plane, etc.)
2. Hypercoagulability (increased clotting tendency)
3. (also for ‘H’) Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
4. Recreational drugs (such as cocaine)
5. Old age (60 and up)
6. Malignancy (cancer)
7. Blood disorders (usually caused by a gene mutation)
8. Obesity (being very overweight or obese increases risk)
9. (also for ‘O’) Obstetrics (being pregnant)
10. Surgery (both minor and major surgery)
11. (also for ‘S’) Smoking (impairs blood vessel health)
12. Immobilization (inability or unwillingness to exercise or move around)
13. Sickness (including heart disease, diabetes, vascular disease, gut issues, and more)

If you have one or more of these factors, you should check your risk level with your physician.

Worried you may already be at high risk for a blood clot? Call Apex Endovascular at 970-508-8439 to learn more, or book a consultation online today.