When an artery is injured, blood clotting—a necessary and natural process—helps to limit the amount of bleeding that occurs. Yet, blood clotting can occasionally occur erratically, leading to the growth of dangerous clots that can impede blood flow and cause potentially fatal medical conditions. It might be challenging to detect a blood clot in the bloodstream before it worsens since it frequently has little or no symptoms.
Some of the risk factors for abnormal blood clotting include:
- Age: The risk of blood clotting increases with age.
- Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to abnormal blood clotting due to inherited disorders.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Inactivity: Prolonged sitting or bed rest can increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune disorders can increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Hormonal factors: Women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy are at increased risk of blood clotting.
- Surgery: Surgery, especially orthopedic surgery, can increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Trauma: Trauma to the blood vessels, such as a broken bone or severe injury, can increase the risk of blood clotting.
- Previous history of Covid, as it can be the cause of a clot.
It’s critical to take action to lower your chance of unnatural blood clotting if you have any of these risk factors. This may entail keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, stopping smoking, managing medical conditions, and discussing with your doctor any treatments or medications that can raise your risk of blood clotting.
