Deep Vein Thrombosis

 Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that occurs in a vein deep within the body. Deposits of red blood cells and clotting elements can accumulate in a vein and over time, lead to blood clot formation. As the clot grows, it blocks blood flow in the affected vein.

Causes and risk factors contributing to clot formation may include (but are not limited to):

• Pre-existing clotting problems
• Injury to a blood vessel
• Slow blood flow or pooling of blood in a vein due to damage or pressure on the valves, immobility or medical conditions (such as blood disorders, cancer, heart attack and varicose veins)
• Hospitalization
• Not moving your body
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Taking birth control pills or estrogen therapy

*Information cited from GlaxoSmithKline