When a blood clot in any of the deep veins in the leg obstructs the blood circulation, your body may start showing signs of deep vein thrombosis. It includes shortness of breath, chest pain, dizzy feeling, rapid pulse rate, and coughing up blood that may be fatal. Doctors diagnose the disease with a few blood tests to confirm image test results and ultrasound.

Doctors may recommend blood-thinning medications for three months or more to loosen blood clots. You may need to go for another check-up and go through another ultrasound to see if the blood clot has reduced in size or has completely vanished.

Here are the common risks factors that lead to the development of deep vein thrombosis and its early warning symptoms:

• Trauma and surgery damage the veins and obstruct the normal flow of blood in the legs that may result in clots.
• Pregnancy and childbirth increase the pressure on your legs, followed by blood clotting that may continue for another six weeks post-delivery. It is applicable mostly in women who inherit clotting disorders.
• Heart failure, traveling for long hours, and months of bed rest may increase the risk for deep vein thrombosis. It may result in venous stasis and alter the flow of blood from the veins .
• Age plays a vital role in the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis as one person among every 100 above the age of 80 may get affected with it.
• Hospitalization may increase the chances of deep venous by ten times. Up to 20% of the people experience thrombosis from which 40% are admitted for surgery.
• Cancer can cause hypercoagulability of the blood as the cells of the tumor may press the veins and alter the flow of blood. Chemotherapy also tends to increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis by creating a detrimental effect on the epithelial lining of the veins.
• Birth control pills or hormone therapy increases the risk of blood clotting.
• Smoking affects blood circulation and blood clots, thus increasing the risk of deep thrombosis.
• Prolonged bed rest during paralysis when your legs are at rest for long can also cause this condition. Thus, there is no circulation, which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis and its early warning symptoms.
• Being overweight increases pressure in the legs and veins. This, in turn, increases the risk of thrombosis.
• Inheriting the blood clotting disorder makes it difficult to treat this condition, as it generally is accompanied by many risk factors, too.

Doctors, community nurses, and healthcare professionals may help the affected person overcome the above risk factors of deep vein thrombosis. You are encouraged to wear stockings, drink more water, and exercise regularly. A professional nurse or a general physician can treat people with symptoms. In severe cases, visit the hospital that specializes in venous diseases.

These are the risk factors in deep vein thrombosis. If you feel you are facing any of these, visit your doctor immediately.