Blood clots form primarily as a natural response to stop bleeding when blood vessels are injured. The body activates clotting factors that cause blood to thicken and form a semisolid mass to seal the injury and promote healing
. However, abnormal blood clots can occur due to several causes:
- Damage to blood vessels: Injury, surgery, inflammation, or conditions like atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) can damage vessel walls, triggering clot formation
- Changes in blood flow: Slow or stagnant blood flow, such as during prolonged immobility (long flights, bed rest), varicose veins, or heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, increases clot risk
- Increased blood clotting tendency: Genetic factors (e.g., Factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin gene mutation), certain medications (oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy), pregnancy, obesity, cancer, smoking, and chronic inflammatory diseases can make blood clot more easily
- Other risk factors: Older age, family history of clots, and certain medical conditions (e.g., leukemia, liver or kidney disease) also contribute to clot formation
In summary, blood clots are caused by a combination of vessel injury, abnormal blood flow, and increased clotting tendency, often influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors
