Travelers Face Greater Risk of Leg Clots

"Beyond that, it's also a fact that in general many of the things that increase pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis risk are exactly the same as those that increase risk for a heart attack," Goldhaber added. "Things such as cigarette smoking, poorly controlled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, being immobile and not getting enough exercise. So, if you modify these risk factors you can kill two birds with one stone."

More information

For additional information and resources on deep vein thrombosis and risk factors, visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.