Clots more likely to form in patients with cardiovascular disease , smokers and the elderly Rosemont, IL - When tennis star Serena Williams underwent emergency treatment for a pulmonary embolism earlier this year, the world’s attention was drawn to this often fatal medical condition which, although surprisingly not uncommon, is unfamiliar to most men and women. A common risk factor associated with clot development is surgery ; particularly hip and knee replacement surgery. Pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the lungs, occur when a clot that forms within veins elsewhere in the body – often in the lower legs or other limbs – breaks free and travels to the lungs, where it can cause serious complications. Pulmonary emboli can occur in patients of any age and common factors associated with an increased risk of clot development include: oral contraceptive use; cardiovascular disease; prior clot formation; clotting disorders; family history of ...
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