Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the deep veins of the body, mostly in the legs. There is no age limit at which a person can be affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but the risk increases after the age of 40.
There can be complications when a person suffers from deep vein thrombosis, especially when the blood clot dislodges and begins to travel in the blood. The blood clots get lodged in various arteries or veins that can lead to blockages — this is known as embolism. This can be a life-threatening condition when an embolism develops in the brain, lungs, or heart.
The factors that trigger DVT can include the following:
1. What happens when a blood clot forms
When a blood clot develops in the vein, a person is said to suffer from venous thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in any deep vein, but it mostly develops in the veins of the leg. This blood clot either completely or partially blocks blood flow passing through the vein that has been affected. When such blood clots get linked with vein inflammation, it is known as thrombophlebitis.
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition when it grows in the deep veins as there are a lot of risks associated with the condition whereby the clot dislodges and it begins to circulate throughout the body.
Having a member in the family who has had deep vein thrombosis is a risk factor for developing the condition. Smoking and obesity are also risk factors for DVT.
2. Potential dangers of DVT
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when the flow of the blood slows down as the blood passes through the deep veins.
Being immobile is a risk factor that slows down the flow of blood especially when a person remains immobile for a long time as a result of things like having a splint or a plaster cast on the leg, being paralyzed due to an injury or a stroke, being in bed due to an illness or a surgery, and sitting for a long time during a journey in a car, plane, train, or a bus.
There are several reasons why a person may experience a lowered speed in the flow of the blood. Some of the reasons could be phlebitis, which is the inflammation felt in the walls of the veins; varicose veins; heart failure; cancer; orthopedic surgery; and an injury caused to the veins due to severe trauma caused in the bone or muscles.
A person is likely to develop deep vein thrombosis in the presence of a factor that could lead to blood clots. These factors include specific types of cancers, diseases that cause inflammation in the bowel, disorders that have been inherited, or blood clotting factors. Furthermore, there are studies that have observed that the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis is associated with certain types of hormone medications.
