Why Black Populations Are at Higher Risk for DVT

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) doesn’t usually make headlines, but it absolutely should.
We’re talking about a blood clot that can form quietly in a deep veinoften in the leg
and then, without much warning, cause a life-threatening emergency if it travels to the
lungs. Now here’s the part that too often gets ignored: in the United States, Black
populations carry a noticeably higher risk of DVT and other blood clots than many other
racial and ethnic groups. That’s not about biology alone, and it certainly isn’t about
“stronger blood” or other myths. It’s about a complex mix of genetics, chronic health
conditions, social determinants of health, and systemic racism in healthcare.

In this article, we’ll unpack what DVT is, what the research tells us about racial
differences in risk, and why Black communities are particularly affected. We’ll also
walk through practical steps to lower risk, advocate in medical settings, and push for
fairer carebecause knowledge plus action really can save lives.

Understanding DVT: The Basics

What is DVT?

Deep vein thrombosis happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the
lower leg, thigh, or pelvis. Those veins are major “highways” returning blood to the
heart. When a clot blocks that flow, blood backs up like traffic at rush hour.

Common symptoms of DVT can include:

• Swelling in one leg (or occasionally an arm)
• Pain or tenderness, often starting in the calf
• Warmth in the affected area
• Redness or discoloration of the skin

The most dangerous complication is a pulmonary embolism (PE), when part of the clot
breaks off and travels to the lungs. That can cause chest pain, shortness of breath,
rapid heartbeat, and, in severe cases, sudden death. Together, DVT and PE are known
as venous thromboembolism (VTE), a major cause of preventable hospital-related death
in the U.S.

How common is DVT?

Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of VTE events occur in U.S. adults each year.
Studies from diverse communities show that the rate of new clots is consistently higher
among Black adults than among white, Hispanic, or Asian adults. In some surveillance
programs, Black populations have roughly 30% to 60% higher rates of DVT and VTE than
white populations, and several analyses find that Black patients tend to experience
clots at a younger age.

So the risk gap is real. The big question is: why?

What the Data Show About DVT Risk in Black Populations

Multiple large studiesusing hospital records, community cohorts, and regional
surveillancehave found consistently higher incidence of VTE among Black Americans
compared with white Americans, and much higher incidence compared with Asian-ancestry
groups. Some research suggests around a 40% higher incidence for Black Americans
compared to white Americans, while others find even larger gaps.

It’s not just how often blood clots occur; it’s also what happens afterward. Studies
have documented differences in:

• Age at diagnosis: Black patients often experience DVT at younger ages.
• Hospital-associated clots: Black patients have higher rates of clots related to hospitalization and surgery.
• Outcomes: Some studies suggest higher mortality or complications among Black patients with VTE, even after adjusting for other health conditions.

One public health message is clear: DVT is not just an “older white person” problem.
It is a serious, under-recognized issue in Black communities.

Biology, Genetics, and Chronic Conditions: Only Part of the Story

Genetic factors and sickle cell trait

Genetics do play some role. People of African descent are more likely to carry certain
hemoglobin variants, such as sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. Sickle cell
disease is strongly associated with blood clotting problems. Some research has also
linked sickle cell trait to increased VTE risk, especially for clots in the lungs,
although more recent studies have produced mixed results.

The takeaway: in some Black individuals, inherited blood traits may nudge clot risk
upward. But they don’t explain the whole picture, and not everyone with sickle cell
trait or related conditions will develop a clot.

Higher burden of certain health conditions

Black adults in the U.S. are more likely to live with certain chronic conditions that
are also risk factors for DVT, including:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Some cardiovascular diseases

These conditions can alter blood flow, damage blood vessels, and increase inflammation
all of which can encourage clots to form. For example, obesity is a well-known VTE
risk factor, and some studies suggest that when obesity and race overlap, the risk
becomes especially pronounced.

Pregnancy, fibroids, and women’s health factors

Pregnancy, the postpartum period, and certain hormonal therapies (like birth control
pills or hormone replacement) can all raise clot risk. At the same time, Black women
have higher rates of conditions like uterine fibroids and are more likely to undergo
C-sectionsboth of which may involve surgery, immobilization, and blood loss, all
classic risk factors for DVT.

When you layer these health factors togetherobesity, hypertension, diabetes,
pregnancy, surgerythe baseline risk for DVT can climb significantly at the
population level.

Social Determinants and Systemic Racism: The “Invisible” Risk Factors

Here’s where it gets especially important to separate stereotype from reality.
Black people are not “naturally” more likely to clot; they are systemically placed
in situations that increase risk and decrease protection.

Access to care and preventive treatment

Preventing DVT is often about doing the boring things well: early mobilization after
surgery, compression devices or stockings, and timely blood-thinning medications for
high-risk patients. When the healthcare system works smoothly, many clots never happen.

Research, however, has shown racial disparities in:

• Which patients receive preventive blood thinners in the hospital
• How quickly those medications are started after surgery or during a hospital stay
• Whether follow-up care, medication refills, and education are consistent after discharge

When Black patients are less likely to receive guideline-level prevention, it’s not
surprising that more DVTs show up.

Delays in diagnosis and treatment

DVT can be tricky to diagnose because symptoms are sometimes subtle. That’s why it’s
so important that clinicians take complaints of leg pain, swelling, or shortness of
breath seriously and order appropriate tests, like a leg ultrasound or CT scan.

Unfortunately, studies in different conditionsblood clots, heart disease, cancer,
and morehave repeatedly found that Black patients can experience:

• Longer wait times in emergency and urgent settings
• Symptoms dismissed as anxiety, muscle strain, or “not that serious”
• Lower likelihood of certain advanced tests or aggressive treatments

Even a modest delay in recognizing a blood clot can allow it to grow or travel.
When that pattern is repeated across millions of healthcare encounters, disparities
in DVT outcomes aren’t a mysterythey’re the product of a system that doesn’t treat
everyone equally.

Life, work, and environment

Social determinants of healthlike income, neighborhood, job type, housing, and
transportationalso shape DVT risk. For example:

• Jobs that require long hours of standing or sitting (like driving, warehouse work, or office jobs) can reduce healthy blood flow.
• Limited time off, lack of health insurance, or fear of missed wages can delay doctor visits until symptoms are severe.
• Living in areas with fewer healthcare facilities or specialists can make ultrasound or CT testing harder to access quickly.

None of these factors are “in the blood,” but they absolutely show up in the numbers.

Common DVT Triggers and How They Show Up in Black Communities

Regardless of race, several major triggers can push someone over the edge into a
blood clot. In Black communities, these triggers often intersect with the realities
of health inequity.

Surgery and hospitalization

Hospital stays, especially for surgery or serious illness, are one of the biggest
risk factors for DVT. Black adults are more likely to be hospitalized for conditions
like heart failure, kidney disease, or complications of diabetesall of which may
involve bed rest, dehydration, and inflammation that prime the blood to clot.

Infections and inflammation

Severe infections, including COVID-19, strongly increase clot risk. The pandemic
highlighted and worsened existing disparities: Black Americans were more likely to
be essential workers, more likely to get COVID, more likely to be hospitalized, and
more likely to experience complications such as blood clots.

Travel and immobility

Long-distance car trips, flights, and even being stuck on the couch after an injury
can increase DVT risk. When you mix long hours of sitting with other conditions like
obesity, dehydration, or recent surgery, the risk goes up further.

How Individuals and Families Can Lower Their Risk

You can’t change large-scale systems overnight, but you can take steps today
to protect yourself and your loved onesespecially if you or family members are Black
and have other risk factors.

1. Know your personal risk factors

Talk with a healthcare professional about your specific situation, including:

• Any history of DVT or PE in you or close relatives
• Chronic conditions (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure)
• Sickle cell disease or trait, or other blood disorders
• Recent or upcoming surgery or hospital stay
• Pregnancy, postpartum period, or use of hormonal birth control or HRT
• Smoking and activity level

Ask directly: “What is my risk for blood clots?” and “What are we doing to prevent them?”

2. Speak up during hospital stays

If you or a loved one is in the hospital or having surgery, it’s reasonable to ask:

• “Am I getting blood clot prevention?”
• “Should I have compression devices or stockings?”
• “When is it safe for me to get out of bed and walk?”

This isn’t being “difficult”it’s being informed. And sometimes, a polite but firm
question is exactly what prompts a busy team to double-check that prevention orders
are in place.

3. Watch for symptoms and trust your concerns

If you notice one-sided leg swelling, new calf or thigh pain, or sudden shortness of
breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood, seek urgent medical care. Tell clinicians
exactly what you’re worried about: “I’m concerned this might be a blood clot.”

If you feel dismissed, it’s okay to repeat yourself, ask for clarification, or say,
“Can you explain why you don’t think this is a clot? What else could it be?” You
deserve a clear answer and a plan.

4. Build the basics: move, hydrate, manage conditions

Everyday habits matter:

• Move your legs regularly on long tripsstand, stretch, or flex your calves.
• Stay hydrated unless your doctor has told you to limit fluids.
• Take prescribed medications for blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease consistently.
• Work with your healthcare team on weight management and physical activity that’s realistic for you.

None of these erase systemic problems, but they do help lower individual risk.

What Healthcare Systems and Clinicians Need to Do Better

DVT disparities are not only a “patient responsibility” issue. Healthcare systems
and professionals play a huge role in either widening or closing the gap.

• Use standardized risk tools. Hospitals should consistently use evidence-based tools to identify who needs blood clot preventionno matter their race, insurance status, or zip code.
• Audit prevention and treatment by race. Health systems can track who is (and isn’t) getting timely prophylaxis, imaging, and anticoagulant therapy, then close the gaps.
• Confront implicit bias. Training alone won’t fix systemic racism, but awareness and accountability around how symptoms are interpreted and responded to is crucial.
• Engage communities. Public health campaigns about clot symptoms and prevention should intentionally reach Black communities, churches, barbershops, salons, and workplaces.

When systems get serious about equity, the numbers can change.

Real-World Experiences and Lessons Learned (Extended Reflections)

Statistics are powerful, but they don’t fully capture what it feels like to live with
elevated risk or to navigate a healthcare system that wasn’t designed with you in mind.
While every person’s story is unique, certain patterns show up again and again in the
experiences of Black patients dealing with DVT risk or diagnosis.

Consider a common scenario: a middle-aged Black man notices his left calf has been
sore and slightly swollen for several days. He has a warehouse job that keeps him on
his feet, plus a long commute where he sits in traffic for an hour each way. He has
high blood pressure and prediabetes but hasn’t had time to follow up regularly with
a primary care provider. At first, he assumes it’s “just a pulled muscle.” When the
pain worsens, he goes to urgent care, where the visit is rushed. He’s told to rest,
elevate the leg, and take over-the-counter pain medications. No ultrasound is ordered.

Two days later, he develops sudden shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. This time
he ends up in the emergency department, where imaging reveals multiple blood clots in
his lungs. Looking back, it’s easy to see all the missed opportunities: a high-risk
patient, classic symptoms, but no early imaging, no preventative treatment, and a
healthcare encounter that never connected the dots.

Or think about a Black woman in her 30s who recently had a C-section. She’s home with
a newborn, exhausted, a little overwhelmed, and mostly focused on keeping the baby
fed and safe. When one leg becomes swollen and tender, she blames it on pregnancy
changes and carrying the baby around. Her discharge packet mentioned blood clots,
but it was buried among dozens of pages of instructions. She’s not sure which symptoms
are urgent versus “normal.”

When she finally decides to call, she struggles to get through to the on-call line.
Once she does, she feels her concerns brushed offtold to “monitor it” unless she
has trouble breathing. Only when the pain becomes severe and she insists on being
seen do clinicians order an ultrasound that confirms a DVT. She’s started on blood
thinners and recovers, but the anxiety lingers. She wonders: “If I hadn’t pushed so
hard, would anyone have taken this seriously?”

These kinds of experiences are not about individual “bad doctors” so much as about
patterns: busy clinics, limited continuity of care, communication barriers, and
deep-rooted biases about whose pain or symptoms seem believable. Black patients
frequently report feeling like they have to prove how sick they are or over-prepare
for appointmentsbringing notes, research, or a family member as backupjust to
receive standard care.

On the flip side, there are also powerful examples of what happens when care goes
right. Some Black patients describe hospital teams that proactively assessed their
clot risk before surgery, started preventive injections immediately, fitted them
with compression devices, and made sure they walked in the hallway as soon as it was
safe. Nurses took time to explain what DVT and PE are, what symptoms to watch for
at home, and how to take blood thinners correctly. Follow-up appointments were
scheduled before discharge, not left to chance.

Those experiences don’t just reduce complications; they build trust. When patients
feel heard and informed, they’re more likely to ask questions, mention new symptoms
early, and stick with long-term treatment plans.

Community knowledge also plays a huge role. In many Black families, once one person
has had a blood clot, the story gets toldsometimes as a warning, sometimes as a
cautionary tale about ignoring symptoms. That storytelling can be lifesaving. A
cousin might remember, “Oh, this is what happened to Auntie when she had that clot.
You should go get checked out.” Community organizations, faith groups, barbershops,
and salons can amplify those messages, turning individual hardship into shared
wisdom and protection.

Ultimately, the lived experience behind the statistics teaches a few big lessons:
first, that DVT is often preventable and treatable when caught early; second, that
Black patients should never feel guilty for advocating strongly for themselves; and
third, that healthcare systems have a responsibility to earn trust by delivering
equitable, respectful care. Numbers tell us there is a gap. Real-world stories tell
us how that gap feelsand what it will take to close it.

Final Thoughts: Turning Awareness into Action

Black populations are at higher risk for DVT not because of any single gene or
personal choice, but because of a web of biological, social, and systemic factors.
Higher rates of chronic disease, longstanding inequities in healthcare access and
quality, and bias in diagnosis and treatment all contribute to a heavier blood clot
burden.

The good news is that DVT is one area where awareness really can change outcomes.
When patients know their risk, speak up about symptoms, and ask directly about
preventionespecially around surgery, pregnancy, or hospital staysclots can often
be prevented or caught early. When healthcare systems commit to equitable,
evidence-based care, racial gaps in DVT don’t have to be inevitable.

This article is for education, not a substitute for medical care. If you’re concerned
about DVTespecially if you’re Black and have other risk factorsthe next best step
is simple: bring it up with a healthcare professional you trust and ask, “What can we
do, starting now, to lower my risk?”

SEO Summary

how health inequities play a role, and practical steps to prevent dangerous blood clots.

sapo: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious, sometimes silent
blood clot that can turn into a life-threatening emergency. In the United States,
Black populations face significantly higher rates of DVT and related complications
than many other groups, thanks to a complex mix of genetics, chronic health
conditions, social determinants, and systemic racism in healthcare. This in-depth
guide explains what DVT is, why Black communities carry a heavier burden, how
hospital care and diagnosis delays add to the risk, and the practical steps
individuals and families can take to protect themselves. Whether you’ve never
heard of DVT before or you’re already managing clot risk, this article breaks down
the science, the disparities, and the everyday actions that can help save lives.