Know Your Risk for Blood Clots

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Blood clots do not discriminate. They affect people of all ages, race and gender. One of the most important things you can do to prevent blood clots is to know if you are at risk. The risk factors for blood clots include:

  • Hospitalization for illness or surgery

  • Major surgery, particularly of the pelvis, abdomen, hip, knee

  • Severe trauma, such as a car accident

  • Injury to a vein that may have been caused by a broken bone or severe muscle injury

  • Hip or knee replacement surgery

  • Cancer and cancer treatments

  • Use of birth control methods that contain estrogen, such as the pill, patch or ring

  • Pregnancy, which includes the six weeks after the baby is born

  • The use of hormone therapy, which contains estrogen

  • A family history of blood clots

  • Overweight

  • Confinement to bed or wheelchair

  • Sitting too long, especially with legs crossed

  • Smoking

  • Age 55 or older

  • Long-term diseases such as heart and lung conditions, or diabetes

info adopted from stoptheclot.org