 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
• •
•
•
•
About thrombosis
Venous thrombosis
Risk factors for venous thrombosis
The main risk factors for venous thrombosis include:
- Increasing age
- Immobility
- Heart attack or stroke
- A recent operation especially on hips or knees
- Previous deep vein thrombosis
- Previous deep vein thrombosis in the family
- Cancer and its treatment
- Pregnancy
- The use of the combined oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy
- Long-distance travel
- Known thrombophilia
When an individual has a venous thrombosis, it is usually because more than one risk factor is present at any one time. This is known as the multi-hit hypothesis.
For example, someone may have been born with a congenital thrombophilia, but will not have a thrombosis unless other risk factors are present, which increase the risk.
Download our fact sheet on preventing venous thromboembolism in hospital (pdf format)
Copyright
© Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity 2003-2006. A
company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No: 4354472.
Registered Charity No: 1090540
