1. Deep Vein Thrombosis Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Blood Disorders Quiz
3. Spider & Varicose Veins Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Three factors may lead to formation of a clot inside a blood vessel.

• Damage to the inside of a blood vessel due to trauma or other conditions
  
  
• Changes in normal blood flow, including unusual turbulence, or partial or complete blockage of blood flow
  
  
• Hypercoagulability, a rare state in which the blood is more likely than usual to clot

Any component that contributes to one or more of these three criteria can cause deep vein thrombosis. The more common risk factors are as follows:

• Prolonged sitting, such as during a long plane or car ride
  
  
• Prolonged bed rest or immobility, such as after injury or during illness (such as stroke)
  
  
• Recent surgery, particularly orthopedic, gynecologic, or heart surgery
  
  
• Recent trauma to the lower body, such as fractures of the bones of the hip, thigh, or lower leg
  
  
• Obesity
  
  
• Heart attack or heart failure
  
  
• Recent childbirth
  
  
• Being at very high altitude, greater than 14,000 feet
  
  
• Use of estrogen replacement (hormone therapy, or HT) or birth control pills
  
  
• Cancer
  
  
• Rare inherited genetic changes in certain blood clotting factors
  
  
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a medical condition in which blood clotting occurs inappropriately, usually caused by overwhelming infection or organ failure
  
  
• Certain heart or respiratory conditions
  
  
• Advanced age

If an individual has one deep vein thrombosis, they are more likely to have a second deep vein thrombosis.

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