Risk factors for thromboembolism, the major cause of<unk> , include disturbed blood flow (such as in atrial fibrillation and mitral stenosis), injury or damage to an artery wall, and hypercoagulability (such as increased platelet count). Mitral stenosis poses a high risk of forming emboli which may travel to the brain and cause stroke. Endocarditis increases the risk for thromboembolism, by a mixture of the factors above. Atherosclerosis in the aorta and other large blood vessels is a common risk factor, both for thromboembolism and cholesterol embolism. The legs and feet are major impact sites for these types. Thus, risk factors for atherosclerosis are risk factors for<unk> tion as well: * advanced age * cigarette smoking * hypertension (high blood pressure) * obesity * hyperlipidemia, e.g. hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated lipoprotein (a) or apolipoprotein B, or decreased levels of HDL cholesterol) * diabetes mellitus * Sedentary lifestyle * stress Other important risk factors for<unk>  include: * recent surgery (both for thromboembolism and air embolism) * previous stroke or cardiovascular disease * a history of long-term intravenous therapy (for air embolism) * Bone fracture (for fat embolism) A septal defect of the heart makes it possible for paradoxical embolization, which happens when a clot in a vein enters the right side of the heart and passes through a hole into the left side. The clot can then move to an artery and cause<unk> tion.
Arterial embolism
Paradoxical embolism
Cholesterol embolism
Septic embolism
Carotid artery dissection
Embolism
Coronary thrombosis
Post-thrombotic syndrome