Deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is a severe condition where blood clots in the body’s major veins. This disease is not pointed toward one gender, but some people are at higher risk. These clots can become life-threatening. Here are some risk factors for DVT.

• Symptoms
  DVT mainly happens to people over 50 years of age. Mostly, the clot tends to form in the leg. However, some common symptoms of the disease can be identified and action can be taken. Some of these symptoms are as follows.
  • Inflammation in the calves or legs
  • Pain in the leg or tenderness. This tends to worsen when you walk.
  • The swollen part of the leg feels warmer than the rest of the body.
  • The swollen part is red.

People ignore many of these symptoms, and they only realize it when they get a pulmonary embolism. If people suffer from trouble breathing or have an increased heart rate, they should consult a doctor.

• Uncontrolled risk factors
  There are many risk factors for this disease. Some of these factors are under no control of the person. The following are the uncontrolled risk factors:
  • Old age: people generally over 50 are affected.
  • Pregnancy
  • Having cancer or getting cancer treatment
  • Having an inherent blood clotting disorder
  • Heart problems
  • Family history of DVT
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Paralysis or if a person has required bed rest for a long time
  • Surgery that increases the risk of DVT
  • A catheter has been inserted in your vein.
  • Suffered an injury in a vein
• Controllable risk factors
  These are some risk factors that people can control if they make simple changes in their lifestyle. The following are the controlled risk factors:
  • Obesity
    If you are overweight, you significantly increase the risk of getting DVT. This happens because being obese puts extra pressure on your veins; therefore, it is recommended to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Smoking
    If you have been smoking for some time, it can be risky. Not only is smoking extremely unhealthy, but it can also cause blood clots.
  • Birth control or HRT
    If you have been taking birth control pills or have undergone hormone replacement therapy during menopause, it can also augment your risk. This is because some hormonal medicines increase the risk of the disease. Before you start treatment, consult your doctor and figure out the best medicine for yourself.
  • Sitting
    If you have been sitting for a very long time without moving, it may form a blood clot. The best way to prevent that is to move around after a short while to keep the blood flowing uniformly.

These risk factors for DVT should be kept in mind. Those that can be controlled should be as this is a severe disease and can adversely your health.