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What Are the Causes of Thromboembolism?

Thromboembolism is a clot formation in a blood vessel that breaks loose, which the blood stream then carries to plug a different vessel. When the blood vessel is in the lungs, it causes a pulmonary embolism, and in the brain it causes a stroke. If untreated, a thromboembolism can cause severe illness, even death. Three factors contribute to thromboembolism: the hindrance of blood flow, damage to the vessel wall and the alteration of blood composition.

  1. Blood Flow

    • Blood flow can slow down if the veins are blocked, causing small clots or micro thrombi from washing away, as they would through normal blood flow. Blood thickness increases, and a thromboembolism forms. Some illnesses, such as polycythemia vera (the increase of blood cells produced by bone marrow), can thicken blood and slow blood flow.

    Vessel Wall

    • If the vessel wall is damaged through surgery or injury, blood flow is hindered and a blood clot forms. Knee and hip surgery in particular can cause damaged vessel walls, as can surgery on the female reproductive system.

    Blood Composition

    • The body is designed to form and dissolve clots to fit its needs. When this composition changes, the body cannot remove clots like normal, which results in thromboembolism. Medication, like birth control pills, can alter the blood composition, as can smoking cigarettes, obesity and bed rest.

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