Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Cancer Associated Thrombosis Research in Rodent Models
Published on: January 5, 2024
Association between cardiovascular risk factors and venous thromboembolism in the elderly
Huijie Wang1, Frits R Rosendaal1, Mary Cushman2
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden The Netherlands.
Background:
The preponderance of the evidence supports no association between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and venous thromboembolism (VTE), other than obesity. There are limited data in older people.
Objectives:
To investigate whether cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, hypertension, and diabetes) are associated with the risk of VTE in elderly and to assess the combined effect between cardiovascular risk factors and genetic risk factors for VTE (factor V Leiden/prothrombin 20210A, positive family history of VTE, and non-O blood group).
Methods:
The Age and Thrombosis, Acquired and Genetic risk factors in the Elderly study is a multicenter case-control study performed in Vermont, USA and Leiden, the Netherlands, comprising 401 cases with first VTE and 431 control subjects, all aged ≥70 years. To assess the risk of VTE, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, adjusting for potential confounders.
Results:
Both height and weight were positively associated with VTE risk: the ORs were 2.2 (95% CI, 1.2-3.9) and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0-2.4) in the top quartile for height and weight separately. This risk was more pronounced for unprovoked VTE. Smoking, alcohol intake, and diabetes were not associated with VTE. Higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and hypertension were associated with a decreased risk of VTE. In the presence of a genetic predisposition, height and weight further increased the risk of VTE.
Conclusions:
In the elderly, height and weight are positively associated with the risk of VTE. With genetic predisposition, higher levels of height and weight further increase the risk of VTE.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...

