Deep Vein Thrombosis: Causes, Risks, and Prevention

When dealing with deep vein thrombosis, a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs, blocking blood flow. Also known as DVT, it can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. A blood clot, the gel‑like mass that obstructs vessels is the core problem. When that clot builds up around a heart stent, it’s called stent thrombosis, a related risk that shares many of the same triggers. Even broader, coronary artery disease, a buildup of plaque in heart arteries often co‑exists, because the lifestyle factors that promote plaque also raise clot chances. Understanding deep vein thrombosis means looking at these linked conditions together.

What raises your DVT risk?

Think about the last time you sat through a long flight or were stuck on the couch binge‑watching a series. Immobility is a top trigger – muscles can’t pump blood back to the heart, so clots form more easily. Surgery, especially orthopedic procedures, and pregnancy add extra pressure on veins, making clotting more likely. Obesity, smoking, and high‑blood‑pressure medicines also tip the balance. Stress doesn’t just make you tense; it spikes hormones that can thicken blood, a point highlighted in our "Stress Management Tips to Lower Blood Clot Risk in Stents" article. Even climate change matters: hotter days and polluted air worsen cardiovascular strain, which can indirectly increase DVT incidents, as explored in the "How Climate Change Increases Risk of Coronary Artery Disease" guide. Knowing these connections helps you spot the red flags before they turn into a clot.

Below you’ll find a hand‑picked set of articles that dive deeper into each of these angles – from practical stress‑relief techniques to the impact of environmental factors on heart health, plus medication insights that matter for clot prevention. Use this collection as a quick reference to protect yourself and stay ahead of potential complications.