A large-scale study involving more than two-million siblings suggests that taller people have a greater risk for developing blood clots. Specifically, men shorter than 5 foot 3 inches (1.62 m) appear to have a 65% lower risk of blood clot than men 6 foot 2 inches (1.89 m) or taller. Among women, those shorter than 5 foot 1 inch (1.55 m) may have up to a 69% lower risk of developing blood clots than women who are 6 feet (1.83 m) or taller. Lead researcher Dr. Bengt Zöller writes, “It could just be that because taller individuals have longer leg veins there is more surface area where problems can occur. There is also more gravitational pressure in [the] leg veins of taller persons that can increase the risk of blood flow slowing or temporarily stopping.” The findings suggest that assessments for the risk of blood clots should include a patient’s height.
Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics, September 2017