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.