Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition wherein a blood clot forms in deeper veins. Such blood clots usually occur in the veins of the legs and may often lead to swelling and pain. If the blood clot is mobile, it could move from its site of origin and travel to the body’s vital organs if not treated in time.

Aside from common symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, there are hardly any other ways to spot this disease, making timely treatment difficult. It is essential to understand what causes it to prevent the condition.

A few common causes of DVT are mentioned below.

1. Age
Those, especially men between 45 and 50 years of age, are at a higher risk of developing DVT than others. In general, the chances of a person developing DVT increase as they grow older.

2. Injury or surgery
For a person who has dealt with or is recovering from a serious injury to a muscle or a bone in the limbs, it is quite possible that the vein’s inner lining in that region has suffered from some damage. Moreover, patients who have recently had major surgery in the stomach, pelvis, hip, or leg are also susceptible to developing DVT.

3. Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity and unhealthy weight gain. It also means that the legs are not getting enough movement for the muscles to loosen up. This can increase the risk of developing blood clots that could lead to DVT. Having a higher BMI, which can occur through a sedentary lifestyle, also puts an individual at a higher risk of developing DVT. That is why it is recommended that even if one has a sedentary job, they must often get up from their seats to get some movement in the muscles.

4. Genetics
People can inherit the condition over the course of their lives. This is because if a person inherits the factor V Leiden gene, it can make it easier for blood to clot. External factors further exacerbate the risk. 

5. Heart failure
Heart failure increases the risk of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is when a blood clot travels to the lungs and starts growing there. This is because those with heart failure have limited lung and heart function, and the symptoms triggered by even a small pulmonary embolism are more detectable.

6. Pregnancy
The levels of estrogen in the body rise during or after pregnancy. This may also occur due to the consumption of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. The significant increase in estrogen can cause the blood to clot in the body more easily, thereby increasing one’s risk of developing DVT.