Factors increasing the likelihood of blood clots
In the human body, blood clotting is a crucial process that helps prevent excessive bleeding. However, abnormal blood clots can be dangerous and potentially fatal, leading to serious medical conditions such as strokes or heart attacks.
There are two main types of blood clots: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT occurs in the deep veins of the body, often in the legs, while PE occurs when a DVT clot travels to the lungs.
People can reduce their risk of blood clots with strategies and lifestyle changes. Maintaining a medically recommended weight, staying hydrated, being physically active, changing sitting or standing position often, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and managing stress are all beneficial.
However, genetic sources of excessive blood clotting are less common than acquired risk factors. Genetic variations can affect the proteins a person's blood requires to clot effectively and the substances that allow a person's body to dissolve blood clots or delay their formation.
Common acquired risk factors for blood clots include immobility, pregnancy and postpartum, obesity, smoking, heart disease and heart failure, age, supplemental estrogen, other medical conditions, history of injury or surgery, physical inactivity, and dehydration.
Immobility, such as prolonged sitting during travel or bedrest, slows blood flow, promoting clot formation. Pregnancy and postpartum cause blood to become stickier, and the uterus compresses pelvic veins, reducing leg blood flow. Obesity increases the risk 2-3 times due to substances from fat cells that make blood stickier. Smoking damages blood vessel lining and increases clot risk, especially combined with other factors like obesity or heart disease.
Heart disease and heart failure compromise circulation and increase symptoms and risk of clots. Age also increases the risk, as blood tends to be more prone to clotting with older age. Supplemental estrogen from birth control or hormone therapy can raise blood clotting factors. Other medical conditions, including cancer, atherosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), diabetes, COVID-19, vasculitis, and atrial fibrillation (A-fib), can also increase a person's risk of blood clots.
History of injury or surgery, physical inactivity, and dehydration, especially in athletes, contribute to clot risk. Other acquired risk factors include smoking, obesity, prolonged bed rest, long periods of sitting, physical trauma, and certain medications.
Some inherited blood clot risk factors include the prothrombin G20210A mutation (Factor II mutation) and familial thrombophilia, a group of inherited conditions that affect normal blood clotting processes, including the factor V Leiden mutation.
People are more likely to have genetic blood clot risk factors if they have family members who have had blood clots, a history of repeated blood clots before 40 years old, or a history of unexplained miscarriages. Hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition where a person has high levels of homocysteine in their blood, can also increase the risk of blood clots.
In summary, both genetic factors like prothrombin mutation and acquired conditions such as obesity, immobility, smoking, pregnancy, heart disease, and certain medications substantially increase blood clot risk. It is essential to be aware of these risk factors to take necessary preventive measures and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of blood clots.
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