Who Is At Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Many factors increase your risk for deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). They include:
- A history of DVT.
- Disorders or factors that make your blood thicker
or more likely to clot than normal. Certain inherited blood disorders (such as
factor V Leiden) will do this. This also is true of treatment with hormone
replacement therapy or using birth control pills.
- Injury to a deep vein from surgery, a broken
bone, or other trauma.
- Slow blood flow in a deep vein from lack of
movement. This may occur after surgery, if you're ill and in bed for a long
time, or if you're traveling for a long time.
- Pregnancy and the first 6 weeks after giving
birth.
- Recent or ongoing treatment for cancer.
- A central venous catheter. This is a tube placed
in vein to allow easy access to the bloodstream for medical treatment.
- Being older than 60 (although DVT can occur in
any age group).
- Being
overweight
or obese.
Your risk for DVT increases if you have more than
one of the risk factors listed above. |