The biggest risk associated with a DVT is the possibility that the clot, which has formed in the extremity, will dislodge, traveling through the body and back to the lungs, where it becomes trapped and becomes a PE. A PE, unlike a DVT, is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment. A clot in the lungs can limit or completely obstruct blood flow to the major organs in the body, causing organ failure or death.      

What Are The Risk Factors?

In addition to a genetic predisposition to blood clots, there are several other factors that can increase your risk of developing a DVT/PE. Among them:

-       Age: Risk for a DVT/PE increases as you age, and you are in a higher risk category for developing a clot once you’re over the age of 40

-       Weight: Overweight and obese people are at an increased risk for developing a DVT/PE, because this demographic tends to be more sedentary, which is another risk factor. Studies have shown that overweight and obese people have significantly lower levels of a chemical called tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), which helps the body dissolve clots

-       Travel: Recent travel (regardless of whether it’s by plane, car, train or bus), especially for long distances or times greater than four hours, can put you at an increased risk for developing a DVT/PE. Sitting in a cramped space or sitting for long periods of time can affect blood flow to the lower extremities, causing blood to pool in the lower legs and increasing the likelihood that a clot will form.

-       Surgery or Trauma: A recent surgery or trauma to the body, which can include anything from a car accident to a fractured bone, increases your risk of developing a DVT/PE.

-       Birth Control/Hormone Replacement Therapy: Estrogen-containing birth controls, such as the pill, or hormone replacement therapy, both increase your risk for developing a DVT, especially if you are over the age of 35.