5 Key Risk Factors That Can Trigger Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a concerning medical condition that often goes unnoticed until it poses a significant threat. It occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, most commonly in the legs.

While seemingly benign at first, a DVT can become life-threatening if the clot breaks loose and circulates to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE) – a medical emergency. 

Understanding DVT causes and identifying your personal DVT risk factors is paramount for prevention and early intervention. Dr. Soroush Sohrabi specializes in vascular health and is dedicated to raising awareness about conditions like DVT.

We aim to equip you with the knowledge to recognize potential risks and seek timely care. Let’s delve into the 5 key risk factors that can trigger deep vein thrombosis, helping you protect your venous health.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

DVT is the development of a blood clot in a deep vein—most often in the legs or pelvic area—that can restrict or fully obstruct blood circulation.

What Causes Deep Vein Thrombosis?

DVT in the legs occurs so frequently because of the larger, slower-flowing blood in these veins, especially when factors impede normal circulation. 

A major danger of DVT is the potential for the clot to dislodge and reach the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism that may cause shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or fatal complications.

The formation of blood clots, including DVT, can generally be understood through what’s known as Virchow’s Triad, which describes three broad categories of factors:

1- Damage to the blood vessel wall (Endothelial injury): Injury or inflammation inside the vein.

2- Abnormal blood flow (Stasis): Blood pooling or moving too slowly.

3- Hypercoagulability (Increased blood clot tendency): Blood is “stickier” than usual.

Knowing these underlying mechanisms helps us understand the specific DVT risk factors.

Top 5 DVT Causes

Here are the primary factors that significantly increase your likelihood of developing DVT:

1. Prolonged immobility or reduced movement

This is one of the most common and often overlooked DVT risk factors. When you remain still for extended periods, such as during long flights or car rides, prolonged bed rest after surgery or illness, or a sedentary lifestyle, the muscles in your legs are not contracting.

Muscle contractions typically help pump blood through your veins back to the heart. Without this action, blood flow (venous stasis) slows, increasing the chance of clots forming. This directly answers what causes DVT in the legs in many everyday scenarios.

• Risk scenarios: Long-haul flights, extended car trips, bed rest, recovery from major surgery, paralysis.

• Why it’s a trigger: Stagnant blood is more prone to clotting.

2. Surgery or trauma (Injury to a vein)

Any major surgery, particularly orthopedic procedures like hip or knee replacement, abdominal surgery, or severe trauma (e.g., bone fractures, muscle damage), significantly increases the risk of DVT. This is due to several reasons:

• Direct vein injury: Surgery or trauma can directly damage the lining of blood vessels, triggering the body’s clotting response.

• Inflammation: Inflammation triggered by injury or surgery may increase the risk of developing clots.

• Post-operative immobility: Patients are often less mobile after surgery, compounding the risk.

• Risk scenarios: Major orthopedic surgery, general surgery, severe injuries, or fractures.

• Why it’s a trigger: It causes direct vessel wall damage and often leads to immobility.

3. Certain medical conditions and treatments

Several health conditions and their associated treatments can predispose individuals to DVT by making the blood more prone to clotting or impairing blood flow. These are crucial DVT causes to be aware of:

• Cancer and cancer treatments: Many types of cancer increase the blood’s clotting tendency. Chemotherapy and certain cancer medications can also heighten this risk.

• Heart failure: When the heart’s pumping is weakened, blood flow throughout the body, especially veins, can slow down significantly.

• Inflammatory diseases: Conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and lupus can increase inflammation throughout the body, contributing to clot formation.

• Hormone therapy/Oral contraceptives: The estrogen found in birth control and hormone replacement treatments can increase blood clotting potential.

• Pregnancy and postpartum period: The increased pressure on pelvic veins, hormonal changes, and reduced mobility during pregnancy and up to six weeks after childbirth increase DVT risk.

• Risk scenarios: Cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, use of certain hormonal medications, pregnancy.

• Why it’s a trigger: It affects blood’s clotting ability (hypercoagulability) and/or blood flow.

4. Inherited or acquired blood clotting disorders (Thrombophilia)

Some individuals are genetically predisposed to forming blood clots more easily. These inherited conditions, known as thrombophilias, make the blood “stickier.” Examples include Factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin gene mutation, and deficiencies in natural anticoagulant proteins.

Additionally, some conditions, like antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, are acquired clotting disorders. If you have a family history of DVT or PE, these genetic factors could be essential for DVT causes.

• Risk scenarios: Family history of DVT/PE, personal history of unexplained clots.

• Why it’s a trigger: It directly impacts the blood’s clotting tendency.

5. Age and lifestyle factors

While not primary triggers on their own, confident lifestyle choices and increasing age can amplify the risk of DVT when combined with other factors:

• Age over 60: The risk of DVT naturally increases with age.

• Obesity: Being overweight places added strain on the veins in the pelvis and legs, reducing blood flow. It also promotes chronic inflammation.

• Smoking: It causes injury to blood vessels and promotes abnormal blood clotting.

• Dehydration: Reduces blood volume and thickens it, making it more likely to clot.

• Risk scenarios: Elderly individuals, those with a high BMI, smokers, and individuals with inadequate fluid intake.

• Why it’s a trigger: Contributes to vessel damage, sluggish blood flow, and increased clotting tendency.

Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Expert Care

It’s crucial to be aware of DVT symptoms, which can include swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, and redness in the affected leg (often in the calf or thigh). If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if combined with the DVT risk factors mentioned above, seek immediate medical attention.

Dr. Soroush Sohrabi offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for DVT. Understanding what causes DVT in legs and identifying your personal risk profile is the first step towards prevention. Don’t underestimate the silent threat of DVT.

If you have concerns about DVT or would like to assess your risk factors, schedule a consultation with Dr. Soroush Sohrabi today. Your venous health is our priority.

If you’re struggling with spider or varicose veins, consider consulting a specialist for the right treatment plan tailored to your needs. Dr. Soroush Sohrabi offers advanced options for both sclerotherapy and varicose veins treatment Dubai, helping you achieve healthier, more confident legs.

📞 Book your consultation today and take the first step toward healthier, vein-free legs in Dubai.