Increased levels of this substance may damage the inner lining of the arteries. Increased homocysteine levels, linked to a high risk of vascular disease.Smoking also damages the lining of the blood vessels, which can cause clots to form. Smoking raises the risk of unwanted blood clots and makes it more likely that platelets will stick together.Many other factors can lead to excessive blood clotting: Examples of medicines that may contain estrogen include birth control pills and hormone therapy. Medicines containing the female hormone estrogen are linked to an increased risk of blood clots. Medicines can disrupt the body's normal blood clotting process. A clot may either further narrow the artery, or completely block it. When a plaque formation becomes brittle or inflamed, it may rupture, triggering a blood clot to form. Plaque formations can grow large enough to significantly reduce the blood's flow through an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fats, cholesterol and other substances. PAD is usually caused by atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries (or outer regions away from the heart). Atherosclerosis: A disease in which plaque builds up in the wall of an artery.Carotid artery disease refers to atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Hardened arteries (or atherosclerosis) in the coronary artery region, restricts the blood supply to the heart muscle (View an illustration of coronary arteries). All three of these conditions are caused by narrowed and blocked arteries in various critical regions of the body. PAD is similar to coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A narrowing of the peripheral arteries, most commonly in the arteries of the pelvis and legs.If the clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, the condition is called pulmonary embolism. A blood clot in a deep vein can break off and travel through the bloodstream. DVT usually affects the deep veins of the legs. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Blood clots can form in the veins deep in the limbs, a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that increases your chance of having heart disease and other health problems, including an increased risk of forming blood clots.Ĭonditions That Can Trigger Excessive Blood Clotting in the Limbs.These conditions can lead to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of clots. Overweight and obesity refer to body weight that's greater than what is considered healthy.Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to pool in the upper chambers of the heart and can cause clots to form. Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.When the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, blood flow slows which can cause clots to form. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is damaged or weakened.Nearly 80 percent of people who have diabetes will eventually die of clot-related causes. Diabetes increases the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, which can cause dangerous blood clots.Platelets may stick to areas where the blood vessels are damaged and form clots. Vasculitis is a disorder that causes the body's blood vessels to become inflamed.Platelets clump together to form clots at the site of the damage. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside your arteries.Certain diseases and conditions are more likely to cause clots to form in specific areas of the body.Ĭonditions that can trigger excessive blood clotting in the heart and brain: Many diseases and conditions can cause excessive blood clotting, or hypercoagulation. Other Risk Factors - Diseases and Conditions A personal history of unexplained miscarriages.A personal history of repeated blood clots before the age of 40.Family members who have had dangerous blood clots.You're more likely to have a genetic cause of excessive blood clotting if you have: These defects often occur in the proteins needed for blood clotting and can also occur with the substances that delay or dissolve blood clots. The genetic, or inherited, source of excessive blood clotting is less common and is usually due to genetic defects. Use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.Long periods of sitting such as car or plane trips.Prolonged bed rest due to surgery, hospitalization or illness.Blood clots can travel to the arteries or veins in the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and limbs, which in turn can cause heart attack, stroke, damage to the body's organs or even death. Many factors can lead to excessive blood clotting, leading to limited or blocked blood flow. National Hypertension Control Initiative.Pets and Your Health / Healthy Bond for Life.