Who Is at Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?

The risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) include:

  • A history of DVT.
  • Conditions or factors that make your blood thicker or more likely to clot than normal. Some inherited blood disorders (such as factor V Leiden) will do this. Hormone therapy or birth control pills also increase the risk of clotting.
  • Injury to a deep vein from surgery, a broken bone, or other trauma.
  • Slow blood flow in a deep vein due to 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 a vein to allow easy access to the bloodstream for medical treatment.
  • Older age. Being older than 60 is a risk factor for DVT, although DVT can occur at any age.
  • Overweight or obesity.
  • Smoking.

Your risk for DVT increases if you have more than one of the risk factors listed above.

 

 

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.