What is a hypercoagulable state?
A hypercoagulable state occurs when there is an abnormally high tendency for the blood to thicken and clot. This can be the result of environmental factors (e.g., hormones, illness including surgery, or cancer) or because of inherited blood clotting problems. Blood clotting problems like these are more likely to increase your risk of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) than clots in the arteries that can cause a heart attack. A blood clot or thrombus in the veins of the legs can break off and travel through the bloodstream to block an artery in the lungs causing the life-threatening condition, pulmonary embolism. What causes blood clotting problems? There are several causes for blood clotting problems. You are more prone to developing blood clots after surgery (especially hip or knee), if you are immobilized for more than 4 days, or as a result of injuries from a severe accident. Cancer can lead to a hypercoagulable state: 1% to 15% of cancer patient
