Final answer:
The chances of getting a pulmonary embolism can be increased by heart failure, extended periods of inactivity, lifestyle factors such as obesity and tobacco use, and underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Personal history and age can also be factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several factors that can increase your chances of getting a pulmonary embolism, a serious condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. The primary cause is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs. Here are some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of a DVT and consequently a pulmonary embolism:
- Having a history of heart failure can impair the pumping action of the heart, causing blood to pool and clots to form more easily.
- Extended periods of inactivity, such as sitting still on long flights, can cause blood to pool in the veins of the legs, increasing the risk of clot formation.
- Conditions like hypertension and diabetes can also increase the risk.
- Lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor nutrition, a lack of physical activity, and tobacco use are major risk factors as well.
Other risk factors include being older than 35 and smoking, personal or family history of blood clots, and a history of certain cancers. It is important to mitigate these risks by managing underlying health conditions, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying active, especially during situations that limit movement like air travel.