What Causes Thrombosis?
Venous thrombosis may be the result of the following:
- Disease or injury to the veins in the legs
- Immobility
for any reason
- Fracture
- Certain medications
- Obesity
- Inherited disorders or inherited
predisposition
- Autoimmune disorders that predispose to
clotting
Pooling (stasis) of blood in the legs and subsequent clotting can
result in varicose veins. Clots in the legs may break loose and travel
to the lungs, causing pulmonary clots that can result in respiratory
distress, pain, and in extreme cases, death.
Arterial thrombosis may be the result of arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries where fatty or calcium deposits cause the
arterial walls to thicken) of blood vessels (clots tend to form on
abnormal blood vessel surfaces).
When arterial thrombosis occurs in the coronary arteries (the two
that come from the aorta to provide blood to the heart muscle), it can
lead to heart attacks. When arterial thrombosis occurs in the cerebral
(brain) circulation, it can lead to strokes or lack of oxygen to other organs.