Anxiety and depression raise the risk of dangerous blood clots, study finds

An artist's rendering of a cross-sectioned artery. Red blood cells flow through the artery, but get stuck at a large clot.

Having anxiety or depression may increase the risk of potentially life-threatening blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

With DVT, a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. DVT can cause damage by limiting blood flow to the site of the clot and increasing pressure in veins. A larger danger arises if some or all of that clot breaks loose and then travels to the lungs, where it can block blood flow, causing shortness of breath, chest pain and even death.