Blood clotting is a crucial aspect of wound healing, but certain types of clots can be dangerous. Clots within veins and arteries can cause obstructions, which can lead to severe health issues and even loss of life.
Just about anyone can experience conditions like deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the deep veins) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots that travel from deep veins to the lungs). However, certain factors can increase your risk of developing a hazardous clot.
Carrying excess weight contributes to inflammation throughout the body. Being overweight or obese can also damage the blood vessels, which encourages blood clotting in the injured areas.
People with diabetes have a higher chance of accumulating plaque in the arteries and can also experience increased rates of blood vessel damage. Both factors can lead to DVT or PE.
Atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) can cause blood clots to form in the upper chambers. With heart failure, blood flow is restricted, which also leads to abnormal clotting.
People with these conditions may also be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, another risk factor for abnormal blood clots. Metabolic syndrome occurs when a person experiences three or more of these health issues: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, large waist circumference, low levels of good cholesterol, and high levels of bad cholesterol.
Along with health conditions, the following factors affect your blood clot risks:
By leading a healthy lifestyle and properly managing medical conditions, you can lower your risk of blood clots.