DVT and PE may double the risk of heart attack or stroke

In a 20-year Danish population-based cohort study of more than 40,000 patients, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) doubled the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.

For patients with DVT, the relative risk was 1·60 for MI, and 2·60 for stroke in the first year after the thrombotic event. For patients with PE, the relative risk was 2·60 for MI, and 2·93 for stroke. The relative risk was also raised, though less, during the subsequent 20 years of follow-up, at 20-40% for arterial cardiovascular events.

There seems to be a link (causative or associative) between the 3 conditions: venous thromboembolism (DVT/PE), MI and stroke.

References:
Venous thromboembolism and subsequent hospitalisation due to acute arterial cardiovascular events: a 20-year cohort study. The Lancet 2007; 370:1773-1779.
Vein clots up risk of heart attack. Reuters.
Image source: Saphenous vein, Gray's Anatomy, 1918 (public domain).