A new study has narrowed down the key contributing factors for the potentially dangerous blood clots in the legs known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Reuters reports that researchers in Copenhagen followed nearly 19,000 individuals aged 20 and older for 20 years to assess their heart disease risk factors.

They found that those who were obese or were heavy smokers had an increased risk of developing VTE. Compared with non-smokers, those who smoked 25 cigarettes a day or more had a 52 percent greater risk of developing the clots.

In addition, obese adults were 65 percent more likely to have VTE, compared to individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI).

"The main message for the public from our study is that losing weight and quitting smoking are likely to not only reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, but also of venous thromboembolism," lead researcher Anders Holst, M.D., told Reuters Health.

Previous studies have suggested that VTE has largely the same risk factors as heart disease, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.

Are You At Risk For A Blood Clot?

If you’re 40 or older, your chances for a dangerous blood clot could be a lot higher than you think, especially if you:

• Have a history of heart problems or heart problems in your family…
  
  
• Have high levels of dangerous homocysteine in your blood…
  
  
• Don’t exercise or eat nutrient-rich foods on a consistent basis…
  
  
• Experience higher than normal emotional or physical stress…
  
  
• Work in a confined space or travel long distances in a car or plane…
  
  

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